Prayer Streaming – The Listening Heart
“But listening for God’s voice can be much more difficult than talking to him.”
One of the things that the enemy throws at me when I need to listen to God is the fear that even though I talk to God, he might not be interested in talking to me. And so I avoid talking to God because he might not talk back. That’s scary!
Do I believe that He speaks today? Yes. Then I need to learn how to listen. McHenry gives some steps in learning to listen to God
#1 Open the door. Revelation 3:20 says that He stands at the door and knocks. Open the door. Believe that He is on the other side.
#2 Give Him a chance to speak. In other words take some time, ask a question, expect Him to answer, STOP TALKING and wait for Him.
#3 Allow Him to speak to you through his word. Whatever you are dealing with, there is scripture to go with it. Take the word, and then ask Him to enlighten your understanding.
#4 Allow your heart to be open to other trusted believers. The LORD frequently speaks to us through those He puts in our lives. Be sure you know who you are listening to because the devil will try to lead you astray and discourage you through well intentioned people. If you get something from someone else, and it doesn’t feel right then ask another person to help you discern truth and error.
#5 Train your ear. Listen to the testimonies of others as to what God’s voice sounds like. Then turn off the noise. No music, cell phone, etc.
Be quiet, he wants to talk to you.
3 responses so far ↓
Teresa // May 4, 2008 at 10:41 am |
Kristen, I’m loving your “Prayer Streaming” posts-very informative and helpful. Another reason I sometimes avoid prayer-because sometimes I fear I might be disappointing Him in the things I ask for! In other words I fear my prayers are too selfish sometimes, and the LAST thing I want to do is disappoint God. That’s scary too! This is great stuff you are teaching, but I think I’ll go be quiet now.-TK
midnightcry // May 5, 2008 at 8:24 am |
The one thing that helped me with wondering if I was bothering God with things that didn’t matter was having kids myself. When I get back to the understanding that He is Abba Father, then I have all the memories of my own kids pop back into my mind. Thankfully I remember – when they have driven me crazy – that they will grow up. So I make sure that I frequently ask God to help me grow up.
PC // May 6, 2008 at 9:36 am |
KH, Awesome advice about listening to the Lord. The biggest obstacle for most of us is being just to busy. I’m working on making a priority of spending more quiet time worshipping Him.
TK- Luke 11:9-13 (Ask, seek, knock) – deals with what KH is talking about. For many years I missed Vs 13b, when Jesus really tells us what we should ask for, MORE of the HOLY SPIRIT – HIM.
This was a revelation to me. The more I focus on the King, the smaller my problems seem. He is crazy in love with you as His child – that make you a Princess. Ask whatever you want, He gives good gifts to his kids.