Listening to God: Transforming Prayer into Relationship
Summary
Psalm 91 is a powerful reminder of God's protection and presence in our lives. It invites us to dwell in the shelter of the Most High and find rest in His shadow. The Psalmist speaks of God's faithfulness as a shield and rampart, protecting us from various dangers and fears. The passage emphasizes that those who love God and call on His name will be rescued, protected, and honored by Him. This relationship with God is not just about speaking to Him but also about listening and expecting Him to speak to us.
In our busy lives, it's easy to turn our relationship with God into a one-way conversation where we do all the talking. However, Psalm 91 encourages us to pause and listen, allowing God to have the last word in our prayers. This means creating space in our daily routines to hear His voice, which can come in various forms, not necessarily a loud, booming voice but through scripture, circumstances, and even other people.
One of the key insights from this Psalm is the importance of seeing prayer not as a duty but as a loving conversation with God. Richard Foster, in his book "Prayer," illustrates this beautifully with the story of a father calming his child by singing a spontaneous, heartfelt song. This image of God singing over us, as mentioned in Zephaniah 3:17, transforms our understanding of prayer from a task to a relational experience.
Moreover, the Psalmist's experience shows that God speaks to us in our troubles, offering rescue, protection, and satisfaction. This requires us to be effective lovers of God, not just effective prayers. Our prayers should be rooted in love and a genuine desire to connect with God, rather than just seeking answers or solutions.
To discern God's voice, we must ask if what we hear aligns with scripture, calls us to love God and others more, and grows us in the fruits of the Spirit. Community and shared testimonies also play a crucial role in helping us hear God's voice. Ultimately, prayer is about sitting at the table with Jesus, sharing our hearts, and listening to His.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Protection and Presence: Psalm 91 assures us of God's protection and presence in our lives. It invites us to dwell in His shelter and find rest in His shadow, emphasizing that those who love God and call on His name will be rescued, protected, and honored by Him. This relationship is not just about speaking to God but also about listening and expecting Him to speak to us. [39:27]
2. Transforming Prayer into a Loving Conversation: Prayer should not be seen as a duty but as a loving conversation with God. Richard Foster's story of a father calming his child by singing illustrates how God sings over us, transforming our understanding of prayer from a task to a relational experience. This image helps us see prayer as a time to connect deeply with God. [43:30]
3. Listening to God's Voice: To hear God's voice, we must create space in our daily routines to listen. This involves pausing in our prayers and allowing God to have the last word. God's voice can come through scripture, circumstances, and other people. It's essential to discern if what we hear aligns with scripture, calls us to love more, and grows us in the fruits of the Spirit. [50:15]
4. Effective Lovers, Not Just Effective Prayers: God is looking for effective lovers, not just effective prayers. Our prayers should be rooted in love and a genuine desire to connect with God. This means pouring out our hearts to Him and then pausing to listen. It's about building a relationship based on commitment, friendship, and intimacy, much like a healthy marriage. [49:44]
5. Community and Testimonies: We hear God best through community and shared testimonies. Being part of a small group, serving together, and sharing our experiences helps us hear God's voice through others. Testimonies can be powerful reminders of God's presence and action in our lives, encouraging us to trust and listen to Him more. [56:29]
YouTube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:12] - Celebrating Volunteers and Bracken Campus
[32:44] - Greeting Each Other
[33:37] - The Big Talker Illustration
[36:23] - Reflecting on Psalm 91
[37:43] - God's Invitation to Listen
[39:27] - Reading Psalm 91
[41:05] - Expecting God to Speak
[42:20] - The Singing Father Illustration
[43:30] - God Singing Over Us
[44:07] - Effective Lovers, Not Just Effective Prayers
[45:37] - Building a Love Relationship with God
[47:17] - The Importance of Communication
[50:15] - Discerning God's Voice
[56:29] - Community and Testimonies
[57:24] - Holy Communion and Prayer
[01:02:14] - Communion Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 91:1-16
2. Zephaniah 3:17 - "The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are some of the dangers and fears mentioned in Psalm 91 from which God promises to protect us? ([38:23])
2. According to Psalm 91, what are the conditions for receiving God's protection and rescue? ([39:27])
3. How does the image of God singing over us, as mentioned in Zephaniah 3:17, change our understanding of prayer? ([43:30])
4. What does the Psalmist do in Psalm 91 that allows us to hear God's voice? ([40:32])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of dwelling in the shelter of the Most High (Psalm 91:1) relate to our daily lives and routines? ([39:27])
2. In what ways can we transform our prayer life from a duty to a loving conversation with God? ([41:43])
3. What does it mean to be an "effective lover" of God rather than just an "effective prayer"? How does this impact our relationship with Him? ([49:44])
4. How can community and shared testimonies help us discern God's voice more clearly? ([56:29])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Do you find yourself doing all the talking? How can you create space to listen to God during your prayer time? ([37:43])
2. Think about a time when you felt God's protection in your life. How did that experience strengthen your faith? How can you share this testimony with others? ([56:29])
3. How can you incorporate the practice of expecting God to speak into your daily routine? What specific steps will you take to make this a habit? ([41:05])
4. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust God's protection and presence more. How can you actively seek His shelter and rest in His shadow this week? ([39:27])
5. Consider the story of the father singing over his child. How can you visualize God singing over you in your moments of distress? How does this change your approach to prayer? ([43:30])
6. What are some practical ways you can become an "effective lover" of God in your daily life? How can this shift in focus impact your prayers and actions? ([49:44])
7. How can you use your experiences and testimonies to encourage others in your small group to listen for God's voice? Share a specific example where you felt God speaking to you through someone else. ([56:29])
Devotional
Day 1: Dwelling in God's Shelter
Psalm 91 assures us of God's protection and presence in our lives. It invites us to dwell in His shelter and find rest in His shadow, emphasizing that those who love God and call on His name will be rescued, protected, and honored by Him. This relationship is not just about speaking to God but also about listening and expecting Him to speak to us. When we make time to listen, we open ourselves to the fullness of His guidance and comfort. This means creating space in our daily routines to hear His voice, which can come in various forms, not necessarily a loud, booming voice but through scripture, circumstances, and even other people. [39:27]
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" (Psalm 91:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you create space in your daily routine to listen for God's voice? How can you make dwelling in His shelter a priority today?
Day 2: Transforming Prayer into a Loving Conversation
Prayer should not be seen as a duty but as a loving conversation with God. Richard Foster's story of a father calming his child by singing illustrates how God sings over us, transforming our understanding of prayer from a task to a relational experience. This image helps us see prayer as a time to connect deeply with God. When we approach prayer with the mindset of a loving conversation, we open our hearts to a more intimate and fulfilling relationship with Him. This shift in perspective can transform our prayer life from a list of requests to a meaningful dialogue with our Creator. [43:30]
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective on prayer from a duty to a loving conversation with God? What steps can you take today to make your prayer time more relational and intimate?
Day 3: Listening to God's Voice
To hear God's voice, we must create space in our daily routines to listen. This involves pausing in our prayers and allowing God to have the last word. God's voice can come through scripture, circumstances, and other people. It's essential to discern if what we hear aligns with scripture, calls us to love more, and grows us in the fruits of the Spirit. By being attentive and discerning, we can better understand His guidance and direction for our lives. This practice requires patience and a willingness to be still, trusting that God will speak in His perfect timing. [50:15]
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to create space in your daily routine to listen for God's voice? How can you ensure that you are discerning His voice accurately?
Day 4: Effective Lovers, Not Just Effective Prayers
God is looking for effective lovers, not just effective prayers. Our prayers should be rooted in love and a genuine desire to connect with God. This means pouring out our hearts to Him and then pausing to listen. It's about building a relationship based on commitment, friendship, and intimacy, much like a healthy marriage. When our prayers are motivated by love, they become more than just requests; they become expressions of our deep connection with God. This approach transforms our prayer life into a dynamic and life-giving relationship. [49:44]
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." (Philippians 1:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you ensure that your prayers are rooted in love and a genuine desire to connect with God? What changes can you make in your prayer life to build a deeper relationship with Him?
Day 5: Community and Testimonies
We hear God best through community and shared testimonies. Being part of a small group, serving together, and sharing our experiences helps us hear God's voice through others. Testimonies can be powerful reminders of God's presence and action in our lives, encouraging us to trust and listen to Him more. By engaging in community and sharing our stories, we can support and uplift one another in our faith journeys. This collective experience enriches our understanding of God's work and deepens our connection with Him and each other. [56:29]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you engage more deeply with your faith community to hear God's voice through others? What steps can you take today to share your testimony and encourage others in their faith journey?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When was the last time you heard God speak? And do you even believe that God can speak to you? Psalm 91 ends with this. Let me read it to you in context. We've looked at these last three weeks, and we're gonna land on verses 14 through 16. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." [37:43] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's singing over you right now. The question is, do we hear it? Can we make space in our lives, in the busyness and the hecticness of all the noise, can we make enough space to be quiet long enough to be able to hear a God that is always speaking in all kinds of ways, not in a loud, booming, audible voice, but in all kinds of ways, just as loudly. He's speaking and wanting you to hear." [43:30] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I hear people say all the time, well, I just don't really know how to pray. You can't pray wrong. All it is is talking to God, and God isn't looking for the perfect prayer, or the perfect words, or making sure that you have all your theology in place, and making sure that you know all the scriptures that can back up what you're praying. He's not looking for that. He says, here's what I'm looking for. Because he loves me, because she loves me, that's why I hear the prayer. That's what makes me want to respond." [44:07] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When's the last time you went into prayer, and you made time because you were expecting God to sing over you? God's singing over you right now. The question is, do we hear it? Can we make space in our lives, in the busyness and the hecticness of all the noise, can we make enough space to be quiet long enough to be able to hear a God that is always speaking in all kinds of ways, not in a loud, booming, audible voice, but in all kinds of ways, just as loudly. He's speaking and wanting you to hear." [43:30] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God is not looking for effective prayers. God is looking for effective lovers. You remember when, some of you, it's been a while. Maybe it's been a while. Remember when you first fell in love? Remember the infatuation? Isn't that a great stage of the relationship? Where, no matter if you do wrong, you can't do wrong. That's a great stage, you know? Like, that's a great time. There was, I could say anything. Kimberly thought it was funny. It was great. You know, and she could do anything, and I was just, wow." [44:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Could it be that sometimes the reason I just kind of find myself kind of going through the motions, you know? We're singing these songs, and I want to be into it, I want it to be meaningful, I want it to be a real encounter with God, and yet I'm just kind of, I'm just getting through. I'm just doing it. Could it be that somewhere along the way, I've turned my relationship with God into a one-way conversation? Where I'm talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, and I don't breathe, and God is just sitting there saying, listen, I love you, I want to have a relationship with you, but you've got to give me a chance to speak." [37:05] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And I think Psalm 91 is inviting us to really believe this is possible. So much so that we make time for it in our daily time of prayer. And we expect God to speak. That God has something that he wants to say to us. One of my favorite books on prayer is called Prayer. And it's written by Richard Foster. And he talks about how maybe what I need to do, what we need to do as followers of Christ is change our perspective of what prayer looks like." [41:05] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And you know what keeps the commitment, and the friendship, and the intimacy all working together, and all keeping our relationship together, even on the days when she can now clearly see what she doesn't like? You know what keeps it going? We talk. Like it's not any big brain, there's nothing brilliant. We just talk, and we listen. There's this marriage therapist by Gottman. He said out of 2,000 and some couples that he studied, and he realized the ones who stay together, versus the ones who don't stay together, are the ones who just talk. They never stop talking and listening to each other." [47:17] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And that's what God's looking for from us. This kind of relationship where we pour our hearts out. We have 13 verses in Psalm 91 of pouring our hearts out, and crying out to him. Telling our needs, and our fears, and our problems, and our joys, and our hopes, and our dreams. And then we finally say, oh, oh, oh, wait a minute. God, I want to shut up for a minute. It's your turn. I want to hear from you. God says, that's why, because he loves me. Not because they had all their prayers right. Not because they figured out some spiritual formula that if you pray this plus this, then you get this. No, it's because they love me." [48:24] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And I think when we begin to change our view of prayer in that way, from some quiet holy moment. When we have to concentrate and work really hard to a sitting down at the table with Jesus across the way from us, then it can change everything and we can actually begin to hear him. And the small things and the big things. I remember I was in a, probably one of the darkest times of ministry I had was about 10 years ago. And I was really in this place of having to decide if I was going to, I mean, I've joked about it before." [59:17] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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