But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the words of my prayer. (Psalm 66: 19)

In my experience listening is a rare and difficult skill. In totally secular and self-interested contexts - where listening is needed and expected - it is often absent. Many linguists estimate that at best we hear roughly sixty percent of what another intends.

Noise, interruption, an unfamiliar dialect, mumbling, and more can complicate our hearing. Even worse are preexisting expectations and personal agendas that impede and warp understanding of what we hear.

God has listened - shama - the psalmist tells us. This is a hearing that is also a doing. I cannot think of an English word that so fully captures how to hear is also to act on what is heard. This is very active listening.

God has given heed -qashab - to prayer. This is very attentive listening. God attends to what we intend. God is fully present. God is in this very moment with us, distracted neither by what is past nor a possible future. God is with us.

The experience of being fully heard and understood is, simply in itself, healing and empowering.