Can Satan hear our prayers?

TL;DR:

While Satan has some authority, his power is limited. Satan cannot hear our prayers, but God can. He is the One to whom we pray and the One who answers our prayers.

Satan cannot hear our prayers; only God has the ability to do so. While Satan is a keen observer of human behavior and may be aware of the general nature of our lives, he is not omniscient and cannot access the specific content of our prayers. The Bible shows that Satan operates under God's ultimate authority, and his powers are limited compared to God's infinite strength. The prayers of believers are directed to God alone, who hears them and responds according to His will. Regardless of Satan's awareness or lack thereof, our prayers remain potent expressions of faith and are securely within the realm of God’s sovereignty and grace.

from the old testament

Satan is a real being. Satan is a created being, not an equal with God. Satan, even though he has rebelled against God and is now His enemy, is still under God's ultimate authority. He can only do what God allows (Job 1:6–12). With Job, God summoned, and Satan was required to answer. Satan's powers, impressive by human standards, are insignificant when compared to the inexhaustible strength and might of our Creator.
Job 1 shows that while Satan cannot hear our prayers, he is privy to our conversations with God. Satan was well familiar with the details of Job's life.
The Bible indicates that God alone knows our personal thoughts (1 Kings 8:39). Satan is not all-knowing, but we have no secrets from God (Hebrews 4:12–13; Psalm 139:2; Jeremiah 17:10). Satan is not omnipresent or omniscient. But Satan is attuned to human nature, has been around for thousands of years, and is likely a keen observer of humanity. He readily knows what humans are thinking, not because he can read our minds but because he observes our behaviors, actions, and words.
It is true that the prayers of God's people are compared to fragrant incense that goes up before God's throne (Exodus 30:1–10; Psalm 141:2). Perhaps all prayers are heard throughout God's dwelling place, including by the angels there. Whatever the case, information known to Gabriel, or any of the heavenly hosts, would not necessarily be available to a fallen angel.

from the new testament

Just as Satan cannot hear our prayers, neither can angels. Only God can hear our prayers. The angel Gabriel was familiar with the prayers of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:13), but Gabriel was acting under God's instructions. It is unclear whether Gabriel heard the prayer, or God told him about it.
Revelation 5:8 and 8:3 also confirm that the prayers of God's people are compared to fragrant incense that goes up before God's throne. Again, perhaps this is accessible for other spiritual beings to be made aware of, but it is unlikely that Satan has access to this.

implications for today

In the end, it doesn't really matter if Satan and his demons can hear our prayers. We can talk to our Heavenly Father any time, and, if the devil overhears, that's fine. Our Father is able to accomplish His will, no matter what Satan does. The prophet Daniel was surrounded by physical and political enemies who were watching his every move, and what did he do? "He went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously" (Daniel 6:10). It did not matter that his enemies were watching and listening. He prayed. Just as the prophet Daniel remained steadfast in prayer despite the scrutiny of his enemies, we, too, should approach God with unwavering trust and devotion. Our prayers are not diminished by the presence of opposition; rather, they are an expression of our faith in the One who holds ultimate authority. So, let us pray boldly, knowing that God's plans prevail, and His grace is sufficient. Satan cannot hear our prayers, but God can.

understand

Only God can hear and respond to our prayers; Satan lacks this ability.
Satan’s powers are constrained by God's ultimate authority.
Our prayers are secure with God, who will fulfill His will despite any influence Satan may have.

reflect

How does knowing that only God can hear our prayers impact your confidence in praying and seeking God's guidance?
When have you experienced God’s response to your prayers despite opposition or difficulties?
How can the awareness that Satan's powers are limited and under God’s authority influence the way you approach prayer and spiritual challenges?

engage

Satan and his demons may be able to hear our prayers, but they cannot prevent God from answering them according to His will. In his introduction to The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis cautioned against both obsessing over and denying the existence of the devil, urging believers to recognize Satan's limited power while remaining aware of his schemes. Instead, we are to understand God’s supremacy and authority.
How do the limitations of Satan's powers compared to God's ultimate authority shape our understanding of prayer and our relationship with God?
How might the knowledge that Satan cannot hear our prayers encourage us to be more intentional and bolder in our communication with God?