The Hebrew verb anah (עָנָה) means to answer, respond, or testify. It is used in over 300 occurrences for human and divine speech in response to a situation. Strikingly, it is also used for antiphonal singing — the call-and-response worship of ancient Israel.
Prayer and anah are inseparable in the Psalms. Psalm 86:7 expresses the theology of prayer: "In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me." God's anah is proof of His relational engagement. Elijah's contest on Carmel hinges on which god will answer by fire. When God answers, it is always decisive.