The Listening Side of Prayer (1.20.15)

I keep asking that the GOD of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better - Ephesians 1:17

Elijah and Daniel both listened to GOD first, and then prayed. They based their prayers on what they had “heard.” Elijah heard GOD speak directly. 

Daniel heard GOD speak through the scripture. 

They took GOD’s revelation seriously. 

They took their prayer responsibility seriously. 

They understood the listening side of prayer.

Listening prayer is simply this: First, we listen, and then we pray. There are several different ways that we can listen. First, we can “hear” directly from GOD. When God the Father speaks, it is always through His Son and His Spirit. Of believers, Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice . . .” - John 10:27, NASB. Hearing Jesus’ voice is direct hearing. Paul calls the Holy Spirit the “Spirit of . . . revelation” - Ephesians 1:17. This Spirit of revelation dwells within us; and is able to reveal what GOD wants to say directly to our hearts and minds. 

What we “hear” from GOD shapes our prayers, 

so that we know what to pray.

By listening, we may even learn when not to pray for something. At a time when the spirit of unrighteousness reigned in Israel, GOD said to Jeremiah, “Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them: do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you” - Jeremiah 7:16.

The link between our prayers and GOD’s actions is so, tight that GOD doesn’t want us praying for things that He definitely doesn’t want to do. Though He probably won’t speak to you as decisively as He did to Jeremiah, He may at times put a check in your spirit when you start praying for someone or something. When that happens, it may be time to change your prayers. 

_________

Heavenly Father,

Speak to my heart as I listen for Your voice 

through Your Word, in my circumstances, through others, 

or in whatever way You choose! 

May Your Words shape my prayers
and guide my life into the midst of Your divine activity!

Help me to be attentive to Your voice,
never doubting Your ability 

to share Your heart with my own.

Amen