Prayer Reset by Bob SorgeSample

Day 9 LISTEN

Reminder: Yesterday we prayed from the book of Psalms. The more that we exercise the #PrayRead muscle, the more understanding we’ll gain and the more meaningful our time with Jesus will be.

The Lord showed me on one occasion what I believe to be the most important word in the Bible. One word of Christ’s kept striking me because of how frequently He repeated it. 

"What you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops." (Matthew 10:27)

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 11:15)

"Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?" (Mark 8:18)

Hear. There it was. Over and over. 

The way we hear the word determines the fruit it produces in our lives. Everything changes when we hear from God and act upon His word. 

This is why, when we come to the secret place, we need to come primarily to listen. Yes, it’s a time to talk to God; but more than that, it’s a time to hear from God. When God speaks, universes come into existence. In our prayer lives, therefore, we should be slow to speak and quick to listen. 

I can’t tell God what to say, or when to say it. But I can position myself so that, when He does speak, I’m ready to hear and respond. 

While reading the word, cultivate the discipline of listening. We don’t read so we can say, "I’ve completed my daily quota of Bible reading." We read in order to hear. 

Place God’s word before you. Talk to God internally as you read, turning your reading time into an interactive visit. Take time to ponder any verse the Spirit high­lights to you. Ask questions about it. Ask what the verse is saying, and what the verse isn’t saying. Make a note of what you hear.

Paul wrote that faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). Faith hears. When faith hears the word, the Holy Spirit enables us to believe and obey. When faith mixes with the word we hear, miracles happen.  

PRAY.  

• Implore God for a soft heart—a heart that responds in faith and obedience every time He speaks.
• Ask the Lord for faith that truly hears His voice and releases the life of God to others.