What Jesus Did! 'The Father Hears the Son!' — John 11:41-42

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

So they rolled the stone aside [from Lazarus' tomb]. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me."
— John 11:41-42 NLT

Key Thought

While Jesus hasn't taught his disciples the key principle yet, he is proving it beforehand: The Father hears the Son. There can be no clearer example of this truth than his command in the next verse for Lazarus, who is clearly (four days) dead, [1] to come out of his grave, and then it happens. [2] This demonstration is for our benefit. When Jesus later promises that we will be able to pray through him and the Father will do what the Son asks, we know it is true! The Father has already demonstrated it in what would seem to be the most impossible of situations! So let's seek the Father's will and glory, asking Jesus for his power to be released through our prayers.

[1] John 11:39.
[2] John 11:43-44.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for the assurance that when I pray in Jesus' name, you hear me. Please give me wisdom and boldness as I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of John 11:41-42 NLT — "Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Earth Trembles' (Ps. 104:24,)
"O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. ... The earth trembles at his glance; the mountains smoke at his..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'I Come to You, God' (He. 12:22-29)
"Dear Father, I come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to the city of the living God. I join with the thousands upon thousands of angels in..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Watches Over and Rescues His People'
"But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Then You Will Know!' (Ek. 37:14)
"[God said through Ezekiel to the Israelites in exile,] "I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!