Living Changed: Conversations With GodSample

Listening

Prayer isn’t all about talking to God. It’s also about sitting in the silence and listening. There’s so much noise in the world that when it goes quiet, it can be a little unnerving. We have to learn how to embrace the silence if we want to hear God’s voice. 

However, listening isn’t idle—it’s active. It requires a conscious decision to tune in to the one who is speaking. If you’ve ever been so focused on something that you miss what the person right beside you says, you know what I mean. We can be so caught up in what we’re saying to God that we forget to listen for what He wants to say to us.

God is speaking all the time. He speaks through movies, nature, and notes from friends. When you feel like your pastor is speaking directly to you or you have a revelation reading your old journal, that’s God speaking to you. There’s no method beyond His reach. 

Thankfully, when we’re unsure if what we’re hearing is from God, we can test it. If it aligns with God’s character and what He says in the Bible, then it’s likely Him. When we hear negative self-talk or lies from the world that don’t line up with Scripture, we can brush them off knowing they’re not from God. 

Sometimes when we’re listening, we hear nothing. That doesn’t mean God isn’t speaking. It could mean He’s trying to prepare our hearts or teach us something in the waiting. Maybe we’re focused in the wrong direction or simply don’t know how to recognize His voice.

Tuning your ear to God’s still, quiet voice takes practice. The more you’re familiar with His character and His Word, the easier it becomes to identify when He’s speaking. Don’t be discouraged in the process. God is pleased you’re trying. Even when the silence is uncomfortable, continue to lean in and listen for His whispers.

Practice- Set aside 10 minutes to journal as you pray today. If you have questions, take them to God and ask Him to reveal answers. If nothing comes to mind, simply ask Him “Do you see me?” Write down what you’re thinking, how you’re feeling, and what your heart is telling you. Then, reflect back on what you wrote and determine whether it aligns with who God is and what it says in the Bible.