Listening Prayer: Hearing God's Voice in Silence
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound and often overlooked aspect of prayer: listening. Inspired by Mother Teresa's simple yet profound approach to prayer—listening rather than speaking—we delved into the importance of recognizing God's voice in our lives. Just as my granddaughter is learning to speak by parroting words before forming her own sentences, we too begin our prayer journey with pre-made prayers, gradually moving towards a more personal dialogue with God. This journey involves not just speaking to God but also listening for His voice in our daily lives.
We discussed various ways God communicates with us, including through signs, dreams, visions, and His Word. These divine messages often come in unexpected forms, such as a song, a podcast, or even a social media post. The key is to be open and attentive, recognizing that God speaks to us in ways that are deeply personal and relevant to our current circumstances.
The story of the shepherd and the sheep from the Bible served as a powerful metaphor for our relationship with God. Just as sheep recognize and follow the voice of their shepherd, we too must learn to discern God's voice amidst the noise of our busy lives. This requires us to believe that God still speaks today, that He speaks to each of us personally, and that we must create space in our lives to listen.
The challenge for us this week is to cultivate the discipline of listening prayer. This involves setting aside time to be silent before God, allowing Him to speak into our lives. As we practice this, we develop the gift of discernment, enabling us to distinguish between our own thoughts and God's voice. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's guidance and wisdom.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Listening in Prayer: Emulating Mother Teresa's approach, we must prioritize listening over speaking in our prayer lives. This shift allows us to hear God's voice more clearly and understand His will for us. [18:44]
- Recognizing God's Voice: Like sheep recognizing their shepherd, we must learn to discern God's voice. This requires belief in His ongoing communication and creating space in our lives to listen. [43:12]
- God Speaks in Diverse Ways: God communicates through signs, dreams, visions, and His Word. Being open to these various forms of communication helps us receive His guidance in our daily lives. [32:15]
- The Gift of Discernment: Developing discernment is crucial for distinguishing between our thoughts and God's voice. This gift enables us to navigate life's challenges with divine wisdom. [46:08]
- The Challenge of Listening Prayer: This week, focus on practicing listening prayer. Start with short periods of silence, gradually increasing as you become more attuned to God's voice. [48:42]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [14:35] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
- [18:44] - The Power of Listening in Prayer
- [19:29] - Learning to Speak and Pray
- [21:12] - Pre-Made Prayers and Personal Dialogue
- [23:45] - Recognizing God's Communication
- [32:15] - Diverse Ways God Speaks
- [33:08] - Personal Experiences of God's Voice
- [34:27] - The Living Word of God
- [35:01] - Prophetic Dreams and Coincidences
- [36:35] - The Practice of Listening Prayer
- [39:21] - The Shepherd and the Sheep
- [43:12] - Recognizing God's Voice
- [45:07] - Believing God Speaks Today
- [48:42] - The Challenge of Listening Prayer
- [59:49] - Closing Prayer and Fellowship Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 10:3-4 (The Shepherd and the Sheep)
2. 1 Kings 19:11-13 (God's Whisper to Elijah)
3. Psalm 46:10 (Be Still and Know)
---
Observation Questions:
1. In John 10:3-4, what is the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep, and how do the sheep respond to the shepherd's voice?
2. How does the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13 illustrate the way God communicates with us?
3. According to Psalm 46:10, what is the significance of being still in our relationship with God?
4. In the sermon, what examples were given of the different ways God speaks to us today? [32:15]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to recognize God's voice as described in John 10:3-4, and how can this be applied to our daily lives? [43:12]
2. How can the experience of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13 help us understand the importance of listening for God's voice in the quiet moments?
3. Why is it important to create space in our lives for listening prayer, as emphasized in the sermon? [48:42]
4. How does the metaphor of the shepherd and the sheep help us understand the concept of discernment in our spiritual journey? [39:21]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was speaking to you. How did you discern His voice, and what impact did it have on your life? [46:08]
2. What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate the discipline of listening prayer in your daily routine? [48:42]
3. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to hear God's voice. What changes can you make to create more space for listening?
4. How can you be more open to the diverse ways God might be communicating with you, such as through dreams, signs, or His Word? [32:15]
5. Think of a situation where you need guidance. How can you apply the practice of listening prayer to seek God's wisdom in that situation?
6. How can you encourage others in your small group to develop the gift of discernment in their spiritual lives?
7. What is one specific action you can take this week to "be still" and know that God is present in your life, as encouraged in Psalm 46:10?
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
---
Day 1: The Art of Listening in Prayer
In the journey of prayer, listening is often overshadowed by speaking. Emulating Mother Teresa's approach, the focus shifts from merely presenting requests to God to being open to His voice. This practice involves setting aside our agendas and allowing God to guide the conversation. Listening in prayer is not passive; it requires active engagement and a willingness to hear what God is saying, even if it challenges our current understanding or plans. By prioritizing listening, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God, where His wisdom and guidance can profoundly shape our lives. [18:44]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: In your next prayer time, can you dedicate a few minutes to silence, asking God to speak to you? What might He be trying to say in the quiet moments?
---
Day 2: Discerning the Shepherd's Voice
Recognizing God's voice amidst the noise of life is akin to sheep discerning their shepherd's call. This requires belief in God's ongoing communication and the intentional creation of space to listen. Just as sheep trust and follow their shepherd, believers are called to trust in God's guidance. This discernment is cultivated through regular practice and a heart attuned to God's presence. By learning to recognize His voice, we can navigate life's complexities with confidence, knowing we are following the path He has set for us. [43:12]
John 10:27 (ESV): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
Reflection: What distractions in your life make it difficult to hear God's voice? How can you minimize these distractions this week to better discern His guidance?
---
Day 3: Embracing God's Diverse Communication
God speaks in various ways, including through signs, dreams, visions, and His Word. These messages often come in unexpected forms, such as a song, a podcast, or even a social media post. Being open to these diverse forms of communication allows us to receive God's guidance in ways that are deeply personal and relevant to our circumstances. By embracing this diversity, we acknowledge that God is not limited in how He chooses to speak to us, and we remain attentive to His voice in all aspects of our lives. [32:15]
Job 33:14-16 (ESV): "For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God spoke to you in an unexpected way? How can you remain open to His diverse methods of communication today?
---
Day 4: Cultivating the Gift of Discernment
Developing discernment is crucial for distinguishing between our thoughts and God's voice. This gift enables us to navigate life's challenges with divine wisdom. As we practice listening prayer, we become more attuned to God's voice, allowing us to make decisions that align with His will. Discernment is not just about making the right choices but about understanding God's heart and intentions for our lives. By cultivating this gift, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's guidance and wisdom. [46:08]
1 Kings 3:9 (ESV): "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"
Reflection: What decision are you currently facing that requires discernment? How can you seek God's wisdom in this situation today?
---
Day 5: The Challenge of Listening Prayer
The practice of listening prayer involves setting aside time to be silent before God, allowing Him to speak into our lives. This discipline requires patience and a willingness to wait on God's timing. As we practice listening prayer, we develop the ability to distinguish between our own thoughts and God's voice. This week, the challenge is to start with short periods of silence, gradually increasing as you become more attuned to God's voice. By doing so, you open yourself to the transformative power of God's guidance and wisdom. [48:42]
Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Reflection: How can you incorporate a few minutes of listening prayer into your daily routine this week? What might God reveal to you in these moments of silence?
---
Quotes
"I don't say anything, she said. I listen. With those few words, she captured something that is something crucial that is missing from the prayer lives of many, and something we're going to talk about today." [00:18:48] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God speaks in many ways. We often don't know. We don't realize it, as I say. Signs, sometimes literal. I remember that moment. I knew exactly where Gloria was going with that particular story because I think there was two or three of us saw that sign and it was like quick phone calls to get it sort of done. And as Gloria said, that evening we had actually bought the place. God speaks through signs. He speaks through signs that sometimes are not quite as obvious." [00:32:15] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Sometimes they are things that we wake up knowing, oh, what's happening there? Sometimes they're things we actually see. You know, we get up. And it's a bit like, you know, what you're sitting in. You know, I know that this went through many iterations in Chaz's mind and in eyes. God gave him certain things, including, can I just tell you about this door, which was an answer to prayer and God speaking." [00:32:21] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God's word, when we ask him to reveal himself to us through his word, he speaks. Dreams and visions can often be prophetic. They can, and not necessarily prophetic in the way of telling something about the future, as we often think of prophecy, but about just bringing something to our minds." [00:34:47] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"When I used to drive to work, I would often have Radio Rima on. Whilst I was praying or whatever, and again, all of a sudden, something would just be said over the radio. Or once you turn on a podcast, God uses podcasts, and sometimes not ones from people who are Christian, but just in other ways that will bring you a word." [00:35:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"the idea being to stop and listen when we listen thoughts and ideas come to mind thoughts that you just can't explain it's one of the ways that i know that god is speaking when all of a sudden something will come to mind that's just like just won't go away but also it's just like so out there from what i would normally think or he's leading me somewhere that i would not normally go" [00:37:54] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And like those sheep, we need to learn to recognise God's voice. It might seem hard to do. But how many times have you picked up the phone to ring somebody? Or the phone, more importantly, the other way around. Let's go the other way around. The phone is rung and you've picked it up and you've recognised the voice." [00:43:12] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We know people's voices because we have listened to them many times. We've heard them. And we need to do that with God, to know when it's him who's speaking to us, to be able to say, I'd recognise that voice anywhere. So there are three things that we need to do to recognise God's voice." [00:44:20] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Firstly, we need to believe that God still speaks today. Because if we don't believe that he speaks, why would we even bother listening for him? We need to believe that he speaks today." [00:44:55] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The more we allow him to speak, the more we will learn to recognise his voice. And then, when we allow ourselves to listen and be able to actually start thinking about it, we'll be able to listen, as we heard this morning from others, and learn from others how they recognise his voice and go, hmm, I think that's happened to me." [00:46:08] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And Lord, just to be silent before you and sit in your presence. Lord, reveal yourself to us in the ways that you know each of us need it. Lord, you know how we are made, how we best receive you, how we best listen to you." [00:59:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?