7 Ways to PrayNäide

Hearing God: Listening in Prayer

“Give up your campaign.” After these words pop into my head, I slam my journal shut. I’m in a lovely retreat center in the south of England for a long-anticipated time away with God. But hearing God’s gentle yet insistent statement sends me into an emotional mess. The campaign in question is my desire to move back to the States, to the land of my birth, and I don’t welcome this unwanted message through sensing God’s still, small voice. 

But through years of learning to hear God’s voice, I understand the importance of obeying God. And so I start to give up my campaign. Only later do I realize how God’s gentle urging is not only for my good but for the good of my family, too. 

A well-loved story in the Bible of discerning God’s voice is the young Samuel in the Temple, serving the aging priest Eli. God wakes Samuel in the night, calling his name, but Samuel thinks it’s Eli calling. Eli sends him back to sleep several times before he realizes that it’s the Lord. Then he instructs Samuel how to respond, and the next time when God calls, Samuel says, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). God gives him a message of judgment because Eli hadn’t stamped out the sins of his sons. 

Note that Samuel needed help from someone more experienced to hear God, and even his mentor took some time to figure out that God was speaking. Note too that sometimes the message is not one we welcome, although we know that God communicates with us because he wants what’s best for us. 

As you ponder God speaking, I hope you will incline your ears and heart to hear him. May you know the wonder and joy of a rich time of communicating with the God who loves you.

Generous God, you love to speak to me. Help me to tune into your voice, knowing when you’re sending your message of love.