Tonight I’d like to share some thoughts on prayer & learning to hear God’s voice…This will be the first of a three part article I wrote. Tomorrow or Friday, as I have time, I’ll post the second part. Please feel free to post your thoughts on prayer, or share the links you’ve found and enjoyed on the subject.

Hearing God’s Voice

In the Old Testament we see that God chose to speak primarily through his priests, kings and prophets, and rarely through ordinary men. At that time, He used animals, fleeces, burning bushes, and more, but how does He choose to speak to us today?

We are under a new covenant, purchased by the blood of Jesus, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. No longer are we required to go through a priest to hear God’s voice, but we are privileged to enter the very presence of God, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

God can speak to us in many different ways.

· Through the ministry of others, i.e., a pastor, counselor, friend, or family member who is ministering or teaching the Word. Wisdom and safety can be found in the counsel of others. Proverbs 24:6, “For waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.”

· Reading the Word for ourselves and being led to passages that specifically relate to our problem or need at the time

· Seeking the Lord with a pure heart and He will give us a spirit of truth and wisdom. We see in Psalm 51:6, “Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.” But we see in Proverbs 2:1-5 that it is vital to use our spiritual ears and understanding to seek wisdom. “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

· During worship. The Word can be conveyed through Spirit-filled music

· The memorization of God’s word. God often quickens a scripture to our hearts when needed most.

In Psalms 119:133, (NIV) it says, “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” The Word is full of life and is God’s love letter to us. Through it He will lead us into truth.

In Psalms 119:105, we are told, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” We must allow God’s word to give us direction on a daily basis, not just when a crisis arises. It’s important to keep on the cutting edge in our walk with the Lord, so we don’t fall into a ‘crisis management’ state of being, and a reactionary approach to the Word of God, rather than relying on it for guidance daily.

Have a wonderful day & be blessed!!!