The Listening Side of Prayer (12.28.16)

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

Faith Believers,
Elijah and Daniel both listened to GOD first, and then prayed. They based their prayers on what they heard. Elijah heard GOD speak directly to him. 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 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 closely intertwined that GOD doesn’t want us praying for things that are not in His will for us.

Though He probably won’t speak to you as decisively as He did to Jeremiah, He may at times change your thoughts which you will feel in your spirit when you start praying for someone or something. When that happens, it may be time to change your prayers and pray for the things the Lord has placed in your heart.
  -  Marilyn


Holy Spirit; Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation,
Speak to my heart as I listen for Your voice
through God's Word, in my circumstances,
through others, or in whatever way You choose!

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

Help me to be attentive to Your leading and God's Voice,
never doubting Your ability to share Your heart with my heart.

Amen