(Psalm 145:18) How can one verify that God is “near to all who call on him” given the countless unanswered prayers or spiritual doubts?

I. Understanding the Promise in Psalm 145:18

Psalm 145:18 states: “The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth.” At its core, this promise affirms the intimate relational posture of God toward those who pursue Him sincerely. When people question this verse due to seemingly unanswered prayers or persistent spiritual doubts, it helps to examine both biblical teaching and practical experience.

II. The Biblical Context of Divine Nearness

1. Relational Setting in the Psalms

The Psalter frequently highlights personal fellowship with God. For instance, Psalm 34:18 declares, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.” These texts emphasize the character of God as a being who is compassionately attuned to human needs. While “the nearness of God” is ultimately a matter of His gracious presence, it also presupposes a willingness on our part to approach Him earnestly.

2. Covenantal Language

The Old Testament consistently conveys God’s faithfulness to those who uphold covenantal devotion. Exhortations such as Deuteronomy 4:7 demonstrate this dimension: “[W]hat other nation is so great as to have a god so near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on Him?”. This echoes the idea that God’s “nearness” is not superficial but covenant-based, anchored in His unchanging character.

III. Reconciling Unanswered Prayers and Spiritual Doubts

1. God’s Sovereign Knowledge

Throughout Scripture, God shows comprehensive knowledge of the human condition (Psalm 139:1–4). Admittedly, some prayers appear unanswered or are answered in unexpected ways because God sees realities and purposes beyond human perspectives (Isaiah 55:8–9). In historical accounts—such as those of Elijah (1 Kings 18) or Daniel (Daniel 6)—answers came in a manner that definitively glorified God, although the faithful often waited or endured trials.

2. Maturing Through Delayed Answers

Biblically, waiting on the Lord fosters maturity and deepens faith. James 1:2–4 exhorts believers to “count it all joy…when you encounter trials,” explaining that testing produces perseverance. Sometimes, “unanswered” prayers serve as an avenue for spiritual growth and reliance on God. The notion of God being “near” transcends immediate deliverance; it involves imparting strength, peace, and long-term character transformation (Philippians 4:6–7).

3. Human Free Will and God’s Redemptive Plan

Prayers for various world events or personal crises are subject to the interplay between divine sovereignty and human free will. While God is unquestionably capable of miracles, the overall biblical scenario includes human responsibility and the progressive unfolding of the redemption story. This broader context can, at times, make it appear as if prayers go unanswered, even though God remains intimately present.

IV. Evidence of God’s Nearness in History and Experience

1. Scriptural Accounts and Manuscript Reliability

The original language manuscripts (such as the Dead Sea Scrolls) attest to the textual consistency of the scriptural claim that God actively engages with humanity (Psalm 139, Luke 1:13, Acts 12:5–17). These historical writings, preserved with remarkable accuracy, serve as a testimonial foundation. They underscore that the same God who spoke to individuals in biblical eras also speaks and draws near to believers today.

2. Testimonies of Miracles and Healing

There are documented claims—from the early church (Acts 3:1–10) to modern-day missionary reports—where unexplainable healings or deliverances were reported following sincere prayer. In certain fields of medical science, there have been cases that confound typical prognoses. Although not every prayer yields an immediate or dramatic miracle, instances of such events can strengthen the conclusion that God remains active and near.

3. Philosophical and Psychological Dimensions

From a behavioral science perspective, consistent prayer and perceived “nearness” of God can produce transformation observable in individuals’ moral, mental, and social lives. Studying large-scale surveys on the impact of prayer reveals lower stress levels, higher resilience, and greater hope among committed believers. While these measurements do not constitute proof of divine action by themselves, they align with the Scriptural claim that those who pursue God experience a unique sense of nearness and peace (Philippians 4:7).

V. The Role of Intentional, Truthful Seeking

Psalm 145:18 specifically includes the qualifier “to all who call out to Him in truth.” This concept suggests sincerity, genuineness, and moral/spiritual alignment with God’s revealed will. God's nearness is not a commodity to be manipulated but a relational reality. Matthew 7:7 underscores this principle: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

1. Heart Posture and Humility

The biblical narrative frequently discloses that humility and truthfulness of heart are paramount in relationship with God. James 4:8 says, “Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” Thus, individuals who approach God out of humility and genuineness are assured of His nearness.

2. Corporate Encouragement and Accountability

Gathering with fellow believers for worship, counsel, and collective prayer fosters an environment that cultivates trust in God’s promises (Hebrews 10:24–25). Faith communities often recount personal stories of divine intervention, affirming that the nearness of God is not an empty platitude but a shared reality.

VI. Addressing Spiritual Doubts

1. Scriptural Precedent for Doubt

Even biblical heroes wrestled with uncertainty. Consider the experience of Job (Job 30:20) or the disciple Thomas (John 20:24–29). Their moments of doubt never disqualified them from divine interaction. In fact, Scripture records the ways God graciously reveals Himself to honest questioners.

2. Seeking Apologetic and Historical Support

For the individual seeking rational support to bolster confidence, historical evidence for core Christian claims—particularly the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—reinforces faith. Multiple lines of manuscript evidence, early creedal statements (such as 1 Corinthians 15:3–7), and testimonies of the Apostolic Fathers provide a cumulative case that the biblical promises (including His “nearness”) spring from the trustworthiness of Scripture.

3. Practical Engagement

When confronted with doubts, practical disciplines—daily Scripture reading, community prayer, serving others—act as channels through which individuals often experience the reality of God’s nearness. Doubt can lead to a deeper understanding of faith once addressed through both mind and spirit.

VII. Practical Steps to Validate God’s Nearness

1. Meditate on Scripture

Reflecting on passages like Psalm 145 in prayer can open the heart to God’s presence and encourage faith. This discipline is not a mere ritual but a conscious, intentional engagement that trains one to recognize the ways God may already be at work.

2. Observe Changed Lives and Answered Prayers Over Time

A thorough review of personal journals, testimonies, or historical accounts of God’s intervention can reveal patterns of divine involvement that are easily missed when only focusing on a single, seemingly unanswered prayer.

3. Community and Witness

Active participation in a community of believers (e.g., a local church, fellowship group) provides shared experiences of God’s nearness, corroborating the biblical principle that “where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).

VIII. Conclusion

The promise of Psalm 145:18—“The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth”—remains an invitation to trust in the character of God, even when faced with doubts or seemingly unanswered prayers. Scriptural narratives, testimonies throughout church history, and many personal experiences underscore that God's “nearness” transcends human formulas.

This nearness is verified by a tapestry of spiritual, scriptural, historical, and experiential evidence, but its fullness is best apprehended through authentic, humble seeking. God’s timing may challenge our expectations, and total comprehension of His ways may remain beyond our grasp, but the biblical theme—from creation through redemption—consistently affirms His faithful presence and goodness to those who call upon Him.