Hearing God

[Seizin]

When you pray how do you know it is God speaking, and not my own intentions or what I think God should be saying? I have tried to quietly listen, but sometimes I think it is me filling in the blanks. I just don’t know. I have never had strong faith or discernment.

 

[Herculees]

On one occasion I was at Adoration (praying before the Holy Eucharist). As I was praying a prayer unknown to me welled up to me. I knew that this was God giving me this prayer. If you read slowly the Bible you can put yourself into the story (event) and speak to God what you feel in placing yourself in the context of the scene.

I read once that best way to pray is pretending or actually having a cup of coffee/tea/soda or whatever and speak to God about what you plan on doing that day and any concerns you might have. For example if you were a college student you might say to God: Lord I have a test in my psychology class today and I am concerned I might not do well on the test even though I studied. Please help me to relax and trust that you will guide me throughout the test.

Once when I was considering religious life, I asked God if He would provide me a sign of whether I should enter the order I was looking at. I told Him I was NOT going to tell Him what sign to give me but that He needed to make it clear it was the sign.

I later that week was walking by a Shrine, and all of a sudden a dozen red roses fell into my hands. I quickly looked around and there was absolutely no-one on the street nor in the lobby of the shrine. I felt that this is the sign that God must have been giving me. To confirm this further, I took the roses home and placed them in a vase with water. I never changed the water and 3 months later they were as beautiful as the day I received them.

 

[Crown_of_Stars]

I have thought or wondered if I have experienced this before. Not often, only a few times, which tells me it is more likely it really was Him I heard, rather than just my own thoughts. Still, it’s hard to know. I only hope. Once, after Communion, I even thanked Him for bringing comfort to me, because I really thought He had the night before.

 

[Seizin]

I later that week was walking by a Shrine, and all of a sudden a dozen red roses fell into my hands. I quickly looked around and there was absolutely no-one on the street nor in the lobby of the shrine. I felt that this is the sign that God must have been giving me. To confirm this further, I took the roses home and placed them in a vase with water. I never changed the water and 3 months later they were as beautiful as the day I received them.

Things like that don’t happen to me. When I read the Bible it says knock and the door will be opened, ask and you shall receive, etc. It is hard to explain, but I seem to be missing some link or connection. It is as if the wire to the speaker from God has been cut. I “know” something is wrong, but I don’t know what or how to fix it.

I know I can’t command God, but I have spent many times where i told God I would quiet my mind for the next 20 minutes and that I just need to hear from Him…anything. I have done this while lying in bed, on a chair, and even driving. I just don’t get anything definitive. Often times I think it is just me saying what I think God would say.

 

[Rosebud77]

In my hands just now are small knitted bells for Christmas Craft Fairs,

They have a small jingle bell attached…

Amid the loud musak and talk,people say, they are hard to hear. So I say, so is the Voice of God, You have to be very quiet to hear it…

Then I hold the bell near their ear and ring it and the smiles start,

 

[Herculees]

Things like that don’t happen to me. When I read the Bible it says knock and the door will be opened, ask and you shall receive, etc. It is hard to explain, but I seem to be missing some link or connection. It is as if the wire to the speaker from God has been cut. I “know” something is wrong, but I don’t know what or how to fix it.

I know I can’t command God, but I have spent many times where i told God I would quiet my mind for the next 20 minutes and that I just need to hear from Him…anything. I have done this while lying in bed, on a chair, and even driving. I just don’t get anything definitive. Often times I think it is just me saying what I think God would say.

Jesus says “Fear Not For I AM with You!”

Many of the saints did NOT feel that they were hearing God. They were experiencing the Dark Night of the Soul.

I believe we all experience God differently and that we can’t will it, but rather comes to us when we least expect it.

Herculees

 

[Seizin]

Jesus says “Fear Not For I AM with You!”

As i said above the Bible also has many promises from Jesus himself, about moving mountains, ask and it shall be done etc. The Bible reads very optimistically for Christians. For me it does not seem to work that way. I know God does not just give you everything you ask for. In fact, I am not even talking about prayers requesting help. I need guidance, wisdom, advice, and yes some special intentions. I am very confused on what to do or try next!

 

[Herculees]

I’d suggest that you dialogue with God expressing how you feel, and how much you want a relationship with Him. I would go so far as to tell Him that you feel as though you do NOT experience Him and how you have a great desire to know that He is present to you and guiding you in all that you do.

Herculees

 

[Seizin]

I’d suggest that you dialogue with God expressing how you feel, and how much you want a relationship with Him. I would go so far as to tell Him that you feel as though you do NOT experience Him and how you have a great desire to know that He is present to you and guiding you in all that you do.

Herculees

Herculees, I do that every day. This issue has weakened my faith, which of course makes it all the harder. I need peace about this issue and many others. Maybe you and the other participants can pray for me. I would appreciate it.

This is maddening because sometimes I think I know what God has said, but then i get a different message. Well was the first message just me filling in the blanks, or is this new one actual?

 

[Katherine438]

I once prayed to God in a time of great angst … my husband was being tested for cancer the following day … and I was praying, of course, that he would not have it … at the same time my husband’s job had been on strike … I prayed to Jesus that I often wondered if He ever heard me … asked Him to give me a sign that He hears me … asked Him if he would allow me to tell my husband when he woke up from the test that the strike was over … meanwhile as far as I knew the strike was far from being over … the next day we went for the test … I waited in the waiting room pacing … 2 hours later it came on the television in the waiting room that the company my husband worked for had ended the strike and they were going back to work on Monday … at that very moment the doctor came out and told me my husband did not have cancer and brought me to see him … I was confirming the strike info with the union on my cell phone as I went to see my husband, and just as I got to his bed, the union representative confirmed that the strike was over … so the situation played out exactly as I had asked Jesus … since then I never wonder if He hears me … so that part is over … I still have issues knowing for sure when I am hearing Him.

 

[Seizin]

Iasked Him to give me a sign that He hears me … since then I never wonder if He hears me … so that part is over … I still have issues knowing for sure when I am hearing Him.

Asking for signs does seem to be a definite way to confirm things, but I fear that is “testing” God. I am trying that now, but nothing has happened so far. Katherine, you seem to be very comited to God. Please pray for me when you have some time. I need Gods direction and help.

 

[adamhovey1988]

Jesus says “Fear Not For I AM with You!”

Many of the saints did NOT feel that they were hearing God. They were experiencing the Dark Night of the Soul.

I believe we all experience God differently and that we can’t will it, but rather comes to us when we least expect it.

Herculees

St. Teresa of Calcutta said she felt far from God. Most people would agree she did great things because of her great faith. It’s possible to grow in faith whilst feeling far from God. Dark night of the soul is scary, but it’s a way to grow closer to God, at least in my own life.

 

[Anne1964]

Some suggestions:

Go to an Adoration Chapel and pray

If you don’t live near an Adoration Chapel visit a Catholic Church and pray before the Blessed Sacrament

Read the Gospel for the day and find a phrase that seems to stand out for you. Think about it for a little while, see how it applies to your life, have a conversation with Jesus about it. This process can take 15-30 minutes or longer.

If you enjoy writing, record your thoughts during your prayer time in a journal. I have found that God often speaks to me while I am writing.

Pray the Our Father slowly and really think about what each phrase means.

Don’t worry about distractions in prayer. They are common and we all have them. If you find your mind is wandering just let the distracting thoughts float by and return your attention to God.

Try to schedule the same time to pray each day. Morning works best for many people, because the day progresses we tend to become more tired and more apt to procrastinate and not pray at all.

I will be praying for you.

Oh, one other thing. Don’t limit yourself by expecting God to “speak” to you in a certain way. He may be speaking to you in a way you haven’t recognized. He may speak to you through the words of a friend, a priest’s homily, something you read, etc.

 

[Herculees]

Herculees, I do that every day. This issue has weakened my faith, which of course makes it all the harder. I need peace about this issue and many others. Maybe you and the other participants can pray for me. I would appreciate it.

This is maddening because sometimes I think I know what God has said, but then i get a different message. Well was the first message just me filling in the blanks, or is this new one actual?

I am and will continue to pray for you! May peace reign in your heart!

Herculees

 

[Katherine438]

Asking for signs does seem to be a definite way to confirm things, but I fear that is “testing” God. I am trying that now, but nothing has happened so far. Katherine, you seem to be very comited to God. Please pray for me when you have some time. I need Gods direction and help.

I will keep you in my prayers … you might want to open a prayer thread for yourself in the prayer intentions forum … this way a lot of people will pray for you. God Bless.

By the way, when I asked Jesus for a sign that He was hearing me, I did say if it be Your will … whenever I ask Jesus for anything, I always add if it be Your will … only the will of our Lord is what we should want … I have a lot of health issues, and I see them as the will of our Lord … and I thank Him for allowing me to carry my own Cross … at the same time I do pray that Cross does not get any heavier, as I am at a point where I can barely carry it … it is only with Jesus and Mary’s help that I manage.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

There was a period in my life where I constantly had God ‘talk’ to me. I think it started happening because back then I reached a point of making a conscious decision to follow Him but was scared of it at the same time. Maybe He decided I needed a push so started bombarding me with spiritual consolations and messages. I don’t get that anymore and that’s ok. I’m very grateful for what I did get when I needed it. Please be assured of my prayers, I hope you receive what you need. Also, I second the suggestion of going to adoration regularly. That completely changed my faith life.

 

[ColleenEH]

Hi Seizen, I felt compelled to reply to your post because I am going through the exact same thing. I have been feeling like I’m “going through the motions” every time I pray- always praying for the same intentions, in the same manner, and never feeling the peace or consolation that many people describe. I also avoid asking God to “show me a sign” because I know it’s not right, but there’s part of me that’s still seeking something to show me that I’m on the right path. (I’m also a type-A perfectionist…I often think that God is probably trying to give me lessons in patience )

I also second the comments about Eucharistic Adoration. I have been trying to go to Adoration at least once a week (I am very lucky that there is a small chapel in the Catholic bookstore near my work that offers Adoration from 1pm to 4pm every weekday). I had never been before (and I’m a 31-year-old cradle Catholic) but there’s something very comforting about it; the more I go, the more I feel like I HAVE to go, there’s something drawing me towards it.

Anyway, I don’t have an answer for you, but I just wanted to say that I understand completely. It’s important to not let those little doubts start to cloud your mind, but it’s easier said than done! I will pray for you- please pray for me too!

 

[Seizin]

There was a period in my life where I constantly had God ‘talk’ to me.

How did you KNOW it was God? I had a rough morning today where I woke up in alarm. I felt a palpable, heavy sense of hoplessness. It sounds odd to say, but the the conviction I was feeling had a “darkness” to it. I dont know how else to say it. I felt trapped. I actually had to sit up in bed to try and shake it.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

How did you KNOW it was God? I had a rough morning today where I woke up in alarm. I felt a palpable, heavy sense of hoplessness. It sounds odd to say, but the the conviction I was feeling had a “darkness” to it. I dont know how else to say it. I felt trapped. I actually had to sit up in bed to try and shake it.

It was really obvious. For example, I was struggling with something and then a very direct explanation or solution came my way, normally via someone. A few times it was a case of flashes of understanding that definitely did not come from me.

I also understand the feeling above, of darkness. That is not from God. What comes from God is light and freeing and calming, even if the issue is difficult. We are all engaged in spiritual battle, and my experience is that the more we pray and strive to do God’s will, the more the evil one wants to discourage us and thwart our efforts. This is something to endure, perhaps for you in this period. Adoration would be my next step. If you already go, go more frequently if possible.

 

[Reuben_J]

When you pray how do you know it is God speaking, and not my own intentions or what I think God should be saying? I have tried to quietly listen, but sometimes I think it is me filling in the blanks. I just don’t know. I have never had strong faith or discernment.

Sure, many times it’s just us filling in the blank.

But that’s actually what praying is about. That in a time that we specifically give to God in prayer, God responds and is present. He can use us to fill in His thought.

What thought comes to you as you pray? Is it bad thought or Godly thought? Even if you think it is your own thought, bottom line prayer makes you think, sometimes deeply, and obviously it comes from your deep thought influenced by the purpose of what you are doing - prayer.

You search your thought in the most purest form when you pray, because you are talking and focusing on God.

Have faith. I mean step up in faith when you pray.

Have you ever experienced in a prayer that you found an answer to your question about your life? Well, for starter you can take it as if God is telling you, speaking to you in those word.

You can do a bit of discernment whether those thought is in line with God’s ways and not opposing to them, and if it is so, take heart, God is speaking to you.