Learning How to Hear It

'There’s a favourite saying of Jesus – one he used more than almost any other – which acknowledges how difficult we often find it to hear his voice. On fifteen separate occasions he urged his listeners to have ‘ears to hear’, presumably because it was perfectly possible to stand in the crowd staring at Jesus Christ himself, listening to his words but missing his meaning entirely. I recognise this tendency in myself. I often need God to show up and speak more than I show up and listen.

People in Jesus’ day got similarly distracted. Many joined the admiring crowds but few became his disciples and friends. And although some two billion people today call themselves Christians, surely if even a fraction of us truly had ears to hear what the Lord is saying, the world would soon be changed?

The encouragement here is two-fold. First, if you struggle to hear God’s voice in your daily life, you’re not alone! And secondly, the Bible is full of promises that if you want ‘ears to hear’ God’s voice, he will speak. As it says in Jeremiah 29, you will find him when you seek him with all your heart.

Our aim is to help you find your ears!

'I’m not particularly interested in teaching truths about God’s Word… Instead, I want to help familiarise you with the voice of Jesus so that you will become more alive than you’ve ever been before to the ‘great and unsearchable things he wants to say to – and through – you.

Perhaps we should simply pray?

Lord, I am here before you now, wholeheartedly.

Speak as I seek your face.

Give me ears to hear what you are saying and a greater willingness to wait.

Insofar as I am also here before you now half-heartedly, fuel the fire of my desire.

Do whatever it takes to renew in me an all-consuming passion for your name.

Lord Jesus, open my eyes to perceive you.

Holy Spirit, soften my heart to receive you.

Father God, grant me faith to believe that when I pray in this way, you hear and draw near with words of infinite love.

Amen.’