Take Time To Listen

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Over steaming cups of tea, Jan and I got caught up on our news. Then I asked this question: “I tell God all my requests, but sometimes I wonder if He’s really there. I mean, how do you know He is? It’s not like He says anything back.”

Jan answered, “Good question. You said that you tell God your requests. Do you do any listening?”

“Listening? Hmmm. Well . . . no, I guess not.”

“I’m just starting to understand its importance in prayer. I used to talk the whole time.”

“But isn’t that what we’re supposed to do? Otherwise, we’d just be sitting there, right?”

“Prayer is, at its heart, a conversation. We praise and thank God and share our requests with Him. But we’re also supposed to listen. To be quiet and let Him speak.”

“Out loud?”

“Well, not usually, but in your heart and mind. It helps to be actively listening. Read a passage from His Word and let it soak in as you sit. Ask Him to show you what He wants you to see in it and how to apply it to your life.”

“Okay, I’ll try that, though I’m not always good at sitting still.”

“Me neither! But we can’t expect to hear God if we’re doing all the talking. When we are quiet and wait on Him, we are in a better position to hear from Him.”

We encourage children to sit and be quiet, but sometimes we don’t give ourselves the time to do the same. In order to hear the voice of God, we need to allow Him space and time in our lives to speak. Meditating on Scripture—letting it percolate in our hearts—can quiet us and help us focus. The Bible shows God speaking in different ways. Don’t miss His voice, however it comes to you.

Rest Assured

Father, help me be quiet and listen. Open my heart to hear Your voice.

Rest in Him: 1 Kings 19:1-18