For more years than I care to admit, my prayers consisted solely of me talking to God at length. I would go on and on, asking Him for this or that, thanking Him for past blessings, and praising Him for His love and goodness. But I never listened to what God had to say!
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (Matthew 6:7 )
While I wouldn’t go so far as to say I used vain repetitions, I certainly engaged in “much speaking.” The problem was that I didn’t do enough listening. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t listen at all. I would unload the burdens of my heart and, once finished, go on with my day. Now, I can’t help but think God must have been frustrated, wondering, “Why won’t this guy be quiet for one minute and let Me tell him what’s on My mind? I know he would be blessed, and that’s all I want to do for him.”
God, ever patient with His children, finally got He longed for. One day, during my usual monologue, He managed to interrupt me just enough to get my attention. He let me know that I could have an actual dialogue with Him. That revelation changed my prayer life forever. I realized I could have a conversation with God. It was a breath of fresh air—or, more accurately, a breath of heavenly air! I began saying a few things and then pausing to listen. Sure enough, He would respond in His still, small voice. I would speak again, and He would share His thoughts with me. It was just like talking to a friend. And, as a reminder, in John 15:15, Jesus calls us his friends—he wants to talk things over with us.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
Jesus knows who you are, and he wants you to hear his voice. He desires to tell you things you won’t hear anywhere else. But you must listen. You have to pay close attention to the thoughts that enter your conscious mind. If you are sincere, those thoughts will always align with the truth and be meant specifically for you. They will be the voice of your gift of holy spirit, faithfully relaying what God and Jesus speak to it—from God to your spirit, and from your spirit to your mind.
I believe God wants all Christians to become more aware of what their spirit is saying to their mind. I also believe there is far more happening between our spirit and our mind than we realize. Too often, distractions—like squirrels darting into view—divert our attention from heavenly things to worldly matters. However, with practice, anyone can become more attuned to the things of the spirit rather than the things of the flesh. A great place to start is in prayer. A prayer life that includes more listening and less speaking will yield tremendous benefits.
The best part of conversing with God is that what He says to me is far more profound than anything I could say to Him. As if I could ever tell Him something He doesn’t already know! On the contrary, He can reveal countless things I don’t yet understand. It’s important to keep things in perspective.
“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:17 )
How could we hear God’s thoughts if He didn’t speak to us? He does speak—His words are most precious, more valuable than all the gold in the world (Psalm 19:9-10). No human has ever spoken words as eloquent as those of our Heavenly Father. His words are purified seven times (Psalm 12:6), and they always accomplish what He intends (Isaiah 55:11). His words to you are perfect (2 Samuel 22:31).
Scripture is filled with numerous accounts of God speaking directly to people. He also communicated through prophets, dreams, visions, or angelic messengers. It would be an interesting study to count the exact number of times God spoke to people in Scripture! But the key takeaway is that He still speaks to individuals today, including you, my dear brother or sister. His voice may come through His written Word, a gentle nudge in your spirit, or even through the wise counsel of another believer. The important thing is to have ears to hear and a heart ready to receive what He is saying.
The next time you petition God for something in prayer, pause for a moment—stop talking so much and listen more. God will assuredly respond. He eagerly waits for the opportunity to speak to you, for He has many things to say. Just listen, and be blessed as He shares what’s on His heart regarding you.
Let this be a challenge to us all: to cultivate a heart that listens, a spirit that discerns, and a faith that responds. Imagine the wisdom, comfort, and direction we might receive if we truly tuned in to His voice. The world may be noisy, but God’s voice is always there—steady, true, and filled with love.
So quiet your heart, lean in with expectation, and trust that He will speak. His voice brings life, guidance, and peace. The question is not whether He is speaking—but whether we are listening.
Grace and peace to you,
