Today let’s imagine something about the praying people in that praying church – something we

might have missed: praying people listen to and expect to hear from God.

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

Can you imagine with me that moment in your prayer when God speaks to your heart and says,

“Would you just be quiet for a minute – I have something to tell you!” Do you think perhaps we

might be missing a word from God, because we don’t let Him get a word in? Or do you think we

don’t hear Him because we talk too much and can’t hear His voice over ours?

In his book titled “WHISPER,” Mark Batterson describes many ways God speaks to us. Here are

a few:

1 – Scripture – because we know that All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), this is

one of the best places to go to hear God speak. Charles Spurgeon once said, “A Bible that’s

falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” Be a frequent flyer in God’s Word and

anticipate His whispers as you read and think on the written Word.

2 – Doors – when opportunities open and close by the hand of God, that’s God speaking --

sometimes saying: “not this door” or “this is the door, walk right in!” There’s a biblical precedent

for this: and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command

behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

3 – People – this is a way that is often used and often misused. Paul tells us to weigh carefully

what is said (1 Corinthians 14:29 AMP). We need to ask God to give us discernment when we

hear the counsel of others. We must not only think about their words, we must also consider the

character of the person as we weigh those words.

4 – Pain – C.S. Lewis hit the nail on the head when he said, “God whispers to us in our

pleasures . . . but shouts in our pain.” A friend of mine who was dealing with cancer and could

feel no pain told me: “be thankful for pain – it’s a warning and a gift.” So, I am learning to be

thankful for my pain and to anticipate God speaking into that pain.



When you pray, do you expect God to speak? Or do you just put out some requests about ailing

body parts and check off “prayed” on your to-do list. Praying people expect God to speak! I want

to hear His whispers – I don’t want to force Him to use His outside voice to get my attention. I

dare you to listen.

By Judy Shrout