Prayer: Your Lifeline

"Prayer is not conquering God's reluctance, but taking hold of God's willingness,” said Martin Luther.

God is both able and willing to do so much more in your life that you can even dare to imagine (Ephesians 3:20). He is willing to amaze you and the world, when you ask, and keep on asking (Lk.11.5-8).

Prayer is more than asking. Much more. Like any communication process, it requires listening as well. Being still, quiet, observant and watchful of God at work is key to prayer and neglected by many of us. God never slumbers, and is at work answering prayers all of the time, but like the 10 lepers healed by Jesus, we simply (and ungratefully) accept His blessing without recognizing them as incredible answers to prayer or the longings of our hearts.

So how do we hear the "still, small voice of God” and listen for the Divine in our lives, distinguishing between our own, sometimes wrong-headed desires and God’s good plan? This part of prayer is the most difficult. Listening.

Some ways in which we can prayerfully listen for the voice of God are described by Marjorie Thompson, in her excellent book on Spiritual life, Soul Feast.

  • The Scripture is the very Word of God, and the clearest voice of all. If what we hear is contrary to the Biblical ethic and tone, it is probably the sinful side of our heart and not the Spirit of Christ.
  • God’s creation - Nature – can speak to us.Have you sensed the living word of God in your heart, speaking with clarity, as you have sat at the base of an oak, near a stream, with your feet in the grass, and understanding the depth of God’s care for you?.
  • God’s people are often the tool through which Christ speaks. No doubt you have had an ‘aha’ moment regarding God’s will for you as a trusted friend or a mentor, or perhaps a book or article, has provided you with insight.
  • God speaks through our circumstances, sometimes creating blocks that prevent us from going a particular direction, or opening doors that make it clear a divine intervention has occurred.
  • Dreams may well be a vessel through which God speaks to us.
  • The Spirit may speak directly so that we have a definite and clear impression, maybe even the words themselves, regarding God’s will for us at a particular time and place.

Have you heard from God lately? Are you listening? Oswald Chambers tells us that "Prayer is not an exercise. It is the life of the saint." As you pray, remember to take time to listen.

Written by Superintendent and Pastor, Mark Adams

“It is God’s will for you to be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances” 1Thessalonians 5:16

Hillside Church ~ 2727 Crawford ~ Evanston, IL ~ 847-328-7182 ~ contact us