How to Engage in Listening Prayer

God wants to talk to us, and He loves sharing His heart with those who engage in listening prayer.

But listening prayer is not something we think of when it comes to hearing God.  Many seek the advice of family, friends, or others to help make decisions or when seeking direction. 

After all, listening is difficult, even when it comes from someone we respect.  And to find time to engage in listening prayer is the last option most rely on. 

I understand.  I felt the same until I experienced the benefits of listening prayer.

When you engage in listening prayer you position yourself to co-create with God.

And, when you share your heart with God, and then quiet your spirit to hear His response, you will discover the power of listening prayer. 

But, more so, you will sharpen your ability to discern God's voice.

Listening prayer allows you to partner with God to accomplish your day to day activities.  When you commit to listening, decision making, praying for others, and handling life challenges become easier.

Listening prayer helped me develop an ear to hear God's voice outside of my morning quiet time.  

So, how can you engage in listening prayer?

I'll start by sharing my journey.

In 1983 started journaling, but I wasn't always consistent. 

One day, I read an article on the benefits of journaling, so I started journaling again but on a more consistent basis. 

When people asked me to pray for them, I journaled my prayers.  Journaling became a part of my morning routine.  I journaled about my experiences at work, decisions I needed to make, dreams at night, direction, goals, etc. 

My journal became my personal therapist. 

One morning while journaling my thoughts were interrupted by a voice that was not mine.  As strange as it sound, it was a voice that was not audible but internal.  You and I both know the sound of our own voice, well this voice was different.  It was gentle.  I stopped and took a moment to write what I heard.

Some mornings I heard one word.  Other days it was phrases.  And, on occasion I would hear full paragraphs. 

Each time I stopped to document what I heard, writing down the message in the exact place on the page where I heard it. 

​Within days and sometimes within hours the words I wrote that morning came to pass.  I knew it was Holy Spirit speaking, so I started asking for direction, insight and advice to my concerns, and one by one my questions were answered.

Through listening prayer and journaling GOD began developing my ability to discern His voice.  Last year, I began teaching others how to hear God.  I even created a guided prayer journal to help other listen.

Here are three steps you start using to begin your journey to engage in listening prayer.

1.  Purchase a simple notebook or My Listening Prayer Journal.
2.  Find a dedicated space.
3.  Commit daily to listening for God to speak.  

As you make the time to engage in listening prayer and journaling  you will discover the richness of how GOD speaks to you.  You will increase your ability to silence racing thoughts and anxiety. 

There will be times when sense a nudge or an impression, write it down. 

You may hear a word or a phrase, write it down. 

You may hear a song or see an image, write it down. 

As you document what you are experiencing you will gain momentum in training  your ears to listen, and as you train your ears to listen, God will begin to speak to you on a more personal level.

God wants to speak to us.  Are you willing to listen?

Let me know how it goes.

With Love,

DeborahT​