How do we know God hears our prayers in times of sorrow?

The assurance that God hears the prayers of those who are sorrowful is a recurring theme in Scripture. Psalm 34:18 states, 'The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.' This passage reassures believers that even in their most desperate times of grief, God is present with them. The very fact that our trials are not random but are used by God to teach us and to mold us, brings comfort. Knowing that God allows afflictions for our growth and that He promises to hear our prayers assures us that our sorrows are not in vain.