1. Read the Bible
One of the best ways to hear God speak is to read His word. God’s Word, the Bible, isn’t just a set of stories and rules. It’s actually a biography, of sorts, it tells us about God’s history, His character, His plans, and like a good Father it is full of wisdom and good advice.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (or woman) of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
I encourage you to spend time in the word of God. It doesn’t have to be hours, but it can be if you have time. I love searching the Bible App for a plan that addresses what I’m facing, curious about, or what I need to work on. When we read the Bible to hear from God, not only will something jump off the page that applies to us, it will be stored in our hearts and we’ll be reminded of it at a time when we need it.
The Word of God is powerful and really is the foundation for our faith. When we decide to follow Jesus, we begin to read His Word. Not only does it tell us how to live, it tells us how much He loves us, and all about the elaborate plan He made to secure our salvation.
2. Prayer
Another great way to hear God’s voice is in prayer. Prayer can seem like a task or a duty, but it’s really your opportunity to slow down, get quiet and talk to the Person who loves and understands you more than anyone else. God totally gets you! Once you are done pouring your heart out to God, you’ll hear Him speak. Sometimes He speaks in scriptures (that’s why it’s important to read His word), sometimes thoughts and impressions, questions or visions. You may see something or imagine something that resonates with you. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t “hear” anything at first. He’s always speaking, we’re just learning how to hear. Keep at it! He loves to meet with and hear from His daughters!
“Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath!” Psalm 116:2 NLT
3. Get Quiet
Sometimes we have so much going on that we are preoccupied with life going on around us. Work, family, exercise, church, school— there are so many things— good things even, that are vying for our attention. Sometimes our thoughts keep us running even if we are sitting still. We worry, wonder, plan, and speculate and our minds are running a mile a minute. In Psalm 131:2 ESV David writes,
“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
Sometimes we just need to get quiet and intentionally sit with God. He’s always close and He’s always speaking, but it’s up to us to slow down and hear. I don’t know about you, but it’s such a challenge for me to sit still for 5 minutes. My mind wanders, I start thinking of all the things I need to get done, I start cleaning, I go grab a snack, load the dryer — It’s crazy what I’ll do to keep from being still, but it’s so fulfilling when I do.
A good way to keep your mind focused is to pick a scripture and think about it. Dissect it, ponder it, meditate on it. And if your mind wonders, that’s okay, just come back. It takes practice but you’ll get there.
4. Spend time in Worship
Worship is a great way to hear God’s voice. When we think of worship, we usually think of singing or music. Worshiping God in song is powerful, but even phrases of adoration, gratitude, and praise bring you into focus on God’s greatness. The wonderful thing about worshipping God is that when you do, His presence is made known to you. You may feel warm, peaceful, or even feel someone else in the room (that’s because He is).
When you spend time in God’s presence, you all Him to change your perspective. He changes, little by little, the way you think, the way you see the world— even your problems don’t seem as impossible as they did before.
You may find yourself crying, laughing, dancing, jumping, singing, and shouting! You never know! Allow yourself to be yourself with Him! The Bible says of God in Psalm 22:3 that
“Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”
Now, Israel means God’s people, and as Children of God, we are His people. So this means, that when we worship God, we create a throne for Him, right where we are. And we simply cannot be in God’s presence, before His throne, and not be changed. Again, this may take some time and practice on our part, but He will make Himself known to you. He always does.
So what about you? How do you hear God’s voice? Share with us on social.
New to the faith? Learn more about building a relationship with God in the Christianity 101 course at TheChandelierRoom.org/courses
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