How to Hear God Better Through Listening Prayer

When my youngest was a baby, I cherished that last feeding of the night. I’d settle into the rocker in his room and, while he nursed, I’d sit in the dark hush of his room. As he fell asleep, I’d let the rhythmic rocking and gentle sound of his breathing calm my soul. I’d clear my head of thoughts and just listen, opening myself to God’s presence.

Maybe it was easier then because I was so sleep-deprived and my inner monologue was exhausted too, but I could sit for 15-20 minutes of total silence and just be. Some nights, I didn’t feel God’s presence. Other nights I knew He was there, comforting this weary momma’s soul. On a few special nights, I heard Him speak to my heart.

Silencing our thoughts allows God’s word to come through

The thing is, we usually can’t hear His still small voice unless we’re quiet. So, in the dark quiet of a baby’s room, rocking a sleeping little one, I was able to take that time to get quiet enough and truly just listen. I had no where else to be in that moment, no other task more important than getting the baby to sleep, so I could focus on listening for God.

As my son grew too big to rock to sleep, I worried that I’d lost my special time with God. How would I get that time and place to just be with Him in the silence?

Each season brings its own time and place to find stillness with God

I found that our prayer methods and forms of quiet time change with our life’s seasons. In this season of life, I’ve found my best time with God is taking a long bath at night, after the kids are put to bed. I can sit in the candlelight, usually with soft music and allow the gentle hum of the jetted tub clear my mind of the day’s thoughts. I can sit with God and listen and pray. Or, I’ll get up very early in the morning, before the rest of the family wakes and sit with God in the hush of a still-sleeping house.

So, how do you find that quiet time with God? What is your special place? What is your technique to clear your mind and listen for His still small voice?

Prayer isn’t always about words, sometimes it’s just about listening

Sometimes we need to spend our prayer time just listening, allowing God the space to speak to our hearts. We used this listening prayer at a conference recently and it was one of the most moving parts of the day. We spent 3 minutes in silence with God, yet even in that short time I could see people visibly moved by how God was speaking to their hearts.

God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer. ~Mother Teresa

How to Pray through Listening Prayer:

• Set aside some quiet time when you can focus.
• Take some deep breaths to clear your thoughts or use a breathing exercise.
• Close your eyes and clear your thoughts.
• Ask God to be with you in the silence and to speak to your heart.
• Sit in the silence and listen for God. Start with 3 minutes and work up to 15 minutes or more.
• After your time of silence, reflect on the experience and how you felt God speaking to you. Take notes of what God places on your heart. Maybe use one color for God’s words and another color for your thoughts and responses.

PRAY DEEP CHALLENGE: Try 3 minutes of silent, listening prayer today. See how it feels to settle into silence with God and just listen for His still small voice. Journal about your experience.

Resources:

Like this post? Explore this and other forms of prayer through the Pray Deep prayer journals. Each book will lead you through a variety of prayer methods through 21 days of focused prayers. Get started with one today!

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This post is part of the “Pray Deep” series. For more information on the series, click HERE.