So far in the Amidah, we have asked for teshuvah on several levels: for ourselves as individuals, for the Jewish nation, for the whole world, and even for the return of God’s own presence. Now, we ask God to assure us that He is attentive to our prayers and present in our lives. Listen to our voice, YHVH Eloheinu, have pity and compassion upon us, and receive compassionately and willingly our prayers, because You are a Divine Power who hears prayers and supplications. And don’t send us away empty-handed from You, our King, because You listen to the prayers of Your nation Israel with compassion. Blessed are You, YHVH, who hears prayers. Note that we do not ask God here to answer our prayers. Rather, we are asking that God listen to our prayers and not send us away empty-handed. Even if God does not give us specifically what we are asking for, we still hope that He will give us something as an indication that He is listening. All that really matters to us is to know and feel that God is relating to us, that He is ever present in our lives. In other words, it is as if each one of us is saying, “Please God, whether or not You give me what I have requested, all I really want is to know and feel is that You are listening, that You are with me. My requests until now are all rooted in just one fundamental desire—to bond with You. My greatest joy in life is to have You in my life. So whether You bless me with health, wealth, children etc. all that really matters to me is to feel Your presence. This is Your gift to me. So please don’t send me away empty-handed.” Knowing that God is listening is the only answer we really need to our prayers. His specific answers should not be our concern. We must remember that God knows better than we do about what we need and when we need it.