This article was originally published on Aug. 21, 2012.

When I was little, I always believed you had to say a prayer out loud in order for God to hear you. When I would sit at the dinner table with my parents, we’d say our prayers out loud before we ate our food. When I would listen to brothers and sisters pray in church, it was always out loud. Even in movies when someone needed help, the actor or actress would kneel down and talk to God audibly.

But then one day I learned a song that talks about whispering a prayer:

Whisper a prayer in the morning
Whisper a prayer at noon;
Whisper a prayer in the evening
To keep your heart in tune.

This simple song made me realize that God hears me at any volume — that I can simply talk to him silently, or even in a soft whisper, and He hears me just the same.

Is it possible for me to say a prayer out loud when I’m in the middle of a meeting at work? Probably not. But can I whisper one to Him? Definitely.

What about when I’m in the car with friends, listening to the radio? Might not be the easiest time to talk to God — but I can always let Him know what’s on my mind while my friends are singing along.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve heard some really beautiful prayers — over a meal, at the end of a church service, by little ones who are just learning the basics.

But sometimes I wonder how many beautiful prayers are whispered, unheard by me?

Even more so, how many beautiful prayers are whispered for me or on my behalf that I’m not even aware of?

Sometimes we believe those who have the loudest voices in the room are the most important. But I believe that those small, quiet voices — the ones whispering the simple prayers — are just as blessed.

It doesn’t matter how loud or how quiet you are when you pray. In the mood to talk to God with excitement from the top of a mountain? Go for it! In the mood to mention a request to Him as you go about your day? Do that too.

Regardless of when, remember that He hears you just the same — spoken or silent.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.