Listening Prayer Exercise

Listening Prayer Exercise – Individual

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

1.      Open with Devotion (see below for a suggested devotional)

2.      The process is simple:  Take our concerns to God; be still, listen; obey. 

               a. Take any praises or concerns directly to God in prayer.

               b. What is our question(s) of God? Some examples include:

i.     I don’t know what to do.  What should I/we do about _______? 

ii.    What does God want me to do with this? opportunity/situation?

iii.   Should I contribute to this effort?

             iv. What am I missing that I should know?  What do you want to say to me, Lord?

3.      Prayer before Listening begins (verses below)

Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus and according to James 1:5* I am seeking wisdom for the question(s) I have.  In the name of Jesus, may only your voice be heard.  May mine, others or the enemy’s be muted and even my own thoughts taken captive to the obedience of Christ according to 2 Cor 10:5**.  I ask that only your Holy Spirit will speak as I wait on you for wisdom, insight, and direction and what you have to show me and direct me to do I will quickly obey. Amen.

4.      Listening Prayer: With a question in mind, find a place to sit and listen for a word, verse(s), image, vision, song, phrase, etc. for 10-20 minutes.  You can randomly open your Bible and begin reading, examining a page or two in either direction. If sitting quietly, nothing but silence may come.  That is ok.  Just remember that negative thinking is not from Him.  Claim your mind for Christ and ask Him to show you what you need to know. Repeat the Lord’s Prayer or hum your favorite hymn if your mind wanders to worldly cares.  Enjoy this time of just waiting on the Lord to speak into your life!

5.      How did God speak? 

a.      Write down what was heard (scripture, word, phrase, image, song, etc.).  

b.      What are the themes or messages?

6.      Close in prayer, resolving to obey what the Lord revealed.  Obeying is the most important part of the process! Though true clarity may take some time in coming. Ultimately, the goal of this process is to seek and rely upon Him, know His peace, and trust in Him as we wait for clarity.  Since His thoughts are not our thoughts, no doubt His plans will unfold in a way we hadn’t expected!  Glory be to God, Amen.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” declares the Lord. 9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9(NIV)

Opening Devotional

in preparation for Listening Prayer

In preparation for this special time with God, it is strongly urged that we examine our hearts, and detect any unconfessed sin. Scripture records that God always requires His people to repent of their sins before He will hear their prayers. King David said:

Come and hear, all of you who reverence the Lord, and I will tell you what he did for me: For I cried to him for help, with praises ready on my tongue. He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins. But he listened! He heard my prayer! He paid attention to it! Blessed be God who didn't turn away when I was praying, and didn't refuse me his kindness and love. (Psalm 66:16-20)

Let’s Begin by a time of silent meditation to examine our Hearts  (~1-2 min)[Pause after each of these to allow a time of reflection] 

Gracious Lord, help us to detect our Unconfessed Sins 

Our obvious sins

Less obvious sins

The Sins of Omission (our inaction)

The Sins of Commission (our actions)

Sins that have caused me to leave you, Oh Lord-  

My worldly mindedness, 

My self-centeredness, 

My spiritual indifference,

My unwillingness to share my faith in Jesus Christ with others, 

My unwillingness to make sufficient time in Your Word,

My unwillingness to make sufficient time in prayer,

My poor relationships - with my family, my friends, my pastor; other members of my church community and those in the world. [Pause]

Lord I confess and repent of my sins and receive your gracious forgiveness.  Thanks be to God. Amen

*James 1:5—“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” [+6-8: “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”]

**2 Cor 10:5—“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”