In the book of James, we are told “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, … and it will be given to you (James 1:5). Jesus said that His sheep know his voice (John 10:27-29). Listening prayer is a tool for seeking God’s voice around specific decisions and requests. Without any expectation or sense of entitlement, we open ourselves to God’s presence and direction.

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Listening prayer is so simple, but we often overlook Jesus' specific suggestion that we ask for what we need (Matthew 7:7-8). In listening prayer we quiet ourselves, individually or along with others we have asked to pray with us as we make our request to God, and we wait. The waiting is the hardest part (to quote musician Tom Petty). When entering into this process we trust God’s assurance that He will protect us from the voice of the evil one and make His wisdom known to us. This wisdom may not come during our experience of listening prayer itself, but we trust that by opening ourselves to God, He will “speak”.

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Here are the simple steps of Listening Prayer:

1) Quiet yourself for a few minutes. You may want to read scripture and/or simply sit in God’s presence.

2) Ask God to make His “voice” and desires clear to you.

3) Ask Him to protect you from intervention by the evil one.

4) Present to Him the decision or situation around which you would like His guidance. Be as specific as possible. (This is different than Centering Prayer during which we simple seek to be in God’s presence. Engaging in Centering Prayer often helps us quiet ourselves so we are more open to the movement of the Holy Spirit during times of Listening Prayer)

5) Wait, wait, wait.

6) Pay attention to what comes into your mind. Images, memories, scriptures, people, etc. God speaks in many ways. The first ideas may be yours so take time (may even multiple sittings) to let God’s guidance emerge.

7) Make some notes about what you’re noticing. (journaling is an important tool for making sense of what you are hearing in Listening Prayer)

8) If you are confused about what comes into your mind, ask God for guidance.

God does not speak on demand. The core of Listening Prayer is patience. God LOVES it when we ask for His guidance, but often He takes His good old time in responding. Don’t expect immediate answers. God’s guidance often comes to us in surprising ways – a song on the radio, an image on TV that captures our attention, through a conversation with someone else…. Be attentive, keep your antennae up.

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Often it is very helpful to enlist others to join you in Listening Prayer. Simply sharing the request you are raising to God with other believers who know you well, who are mature Christians, and who understanding that you are asking for THEIR advice, but God’s direction, is the simplest way to do this. It can also be very powerful to sit with others in Listening Prayer around your request to God and then listening to what they share about how the Holy Spirit moved in them. Again, avoid allowing the conversation to become a problem-solving and advice-giving session. Simply take in what they share, share what God brought up for you, take some notes, and then sit with the results after the session. Let God continue to speak. Pay particular attention to patterns in what others share and what you are experiencing. Ask those who joined you to continue in prayer after a group time and share with you anything that God places on their heart.

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Parker Palmer, an author on spiritual growth and a Quaker, provides advice around this form of Listening Prayer in the guidance he provides for convening what he calls a “Clearness Committee”. This process is often used by folks making major life decision. Clearness Committee instructions can be found HERE.

 

Listening Prayer should not be overused. As noted, Centering Prayer is a tool that should be used more frequently as we seek to connect with God. When we over-use Listening Prayer we can begin to treat God like a cosmic vending machine to whom we only come when we have a specific question or request to

raise. Frequent stillness and time with God will greatly enhance our ability to hear from Him when we do have a specific need.

 

If you want to read further:

A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life by Parker Palmer

The Art of Listening Prayer: Finding God’s Voice Amidst Life’s Noise by Seth Barnes

Listening Prayer: Learning To Hear God’s Voice and Keep A Prayer Journal by Leanne Payne