How can we tell what God's answer is?

[Awake]

If God always answers our prayers, how can we tell what the answer is?

If I pray to God and say “God, I really want to do x, but I don’t know if I should. What is your will?” After I pray, I talk to some people who encourage me that I should do x, thus leading me to conclude that God is telling me through these people that I should. But then I talk to some other people who tell me I shouldn’t do x, leading me to think maybe God is telling me through these people that I shouldn’t. After a week of contemplating it, I have no other clear sign.

So what’s God answer? How do I know what his will is? People sometimes make life changing decisions based on what they think God is telling them to do, so this can be a rather important question.

 

[SongofShepherds]

Hey, I’m sure people will give you very good advice.

One thing I can think of, is to ask Him for a sign.

 

[Dempsey1919]

I spent many hours pondering this very same question yesterday. I have been trying to discern God’s will for me for a long time. This is what I found out:

God’s will for you is not hidden. It is not difficult to find. You don’t have to struggle to find the answers you need. A lot of people think they need some sort of mystical experience to know the will of God. This is not the case. God has shown you what he desires for you. Where do you find the answers to all your questions? All of the answers you need are in Divine Revelation i.e Scripture and Tradition. This is what God wants for you:

1. 
   
   *]He wants you to be saved through Christ. Delivered from sin, death, and eternal torment in hell. God’s will is that you embrace Christ and follow his commandments.
   
   *]God wills that you be in a State of Grace. Do not operate in ignorance and foolishness. Allow yourself to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. By frequenting the Sacraments, you will receive an abundance of grace; this will enable to discern what the Holy Spirit wants you to do.
   
   *]**God wills you to be holy, in the same way that Christ is holy. ** Follow the Gospel law and do your best to become a “little Christ.” Also look to the Saints as your role models and aim to follow in their example for they followed the example set by Christ.
   
   *]God wills that you be submissive to God, to one another in humility, and to the worldly authorities that the Lord has established i.e the Magisterium headed by the Roman Pontiff.
   
   *]God wills that you suffer for righteousness sake. You will suffer for doing what is right. In a sense, you are following Christ who suffered despite being good. The Lord wants you to face this hostile world in such a godly fashion, living such a godly life that it will bring reproach, scorn, and difficulty from family, friends, and everybody else. This is about taking up your Cross and following the Lord.
   
   *]Lastly, God wills that you be thankful in all things. Thank God constantly for the blessings and the life he has given. Rejoice in the Lord your God.
   
   If you are all of the above, do whatever you want. Marry whomever you want. Go wherever you want. Work wherever you want. Choose whatever you want. Do whatever you want because God will be in control of you desires and wants.
   
   Psalm 37:4 “Make Yahweh your joy and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Delight in the Lord and he will plant his desires in your heart. Your desires will be his desires. Therefore, do whatever you want because your desires will be a reflection of the desires God has given you.
   
   The ideas presented above are not mine. They belong to a famous evangelical preacher. However, I have put my own spin on them, in accordance with my Catholic faith. However, I think this is a fairly good answer to the question: What is the will of God in my life.
   
   Also, God has given each of us talents in life. He does not care about the trivial things in life; he cares about our salvation. He wants us to know, love and serve him. He wants us to be good and do good. It is up to us to use the talents he has given us. We are in control of our destiny. God does not care about the small decisions we make as long as we fight sin and try to do good in everything.
   
   As St Ignatius said, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” - For the Greater Glory of God. Everything we do in life has a spiritual value, including the most mundane things as long as we have the right intentions. It doesn’t matter if you’re a bucher, baker, or a candlestick maker as long as you do it for the greater glory of God.

 

[beckycmarie]

Peter Kreeft has an answer to your question in his writing on Discernment:

Does God have one right choice for me in each decision I make?

When we pray for wisdom to discern God’s will when it comes to choosing a mate, a career, a job change, a move, a home, a school, a friend, a vacation, how to spend money, or any other choice, big or little, whenever there are two or more different paths opening up before us and we have to choose, does God always will one of those paths for us? If so, how do we discern it?

>>Read more

 

[three-sixteen]

I pray this prayer every day: “Holy Spirit remind me to never make one decision without asking what Your Will is, and waiting for Your Still Small Voice.”

 Jesus said "My sheep hear my Voice."  The Voice of God can be heard and it can be as specific as you need it to be.  There are questions that cannot be answered by the Bible or the Catechism because they are too specific.  God do you want me to take this job or that job?  The Bible can't answer that.  Thus there will be thousands and millions of decisions during your life where you will need to be able to hear the Voice of God.  "My sheep hear my Voice."  Part of being sheep-like means we are relying on the Master for everything, and not relying on ourselves or our own understanding.  The Bible says to "lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him."  Let me teach you some key prayers that should become part of a sheep's vocabulary:

“Your Will God”

“Father not my will but Yours be done”

“Whatever You want Lord I’ll do it”

“Speak Lord: make Your Will clear”

“Jesus remind me to never make one decision without asking what Your Will is and waiting for Your Still Small Voice”

“Holy Spirit help me wait on You without anxiety or expectation, meditating on Your Presence within me, until You make Your will clear”

“Holy Spirit help me form deepest Intimacy with You and Your Divine Will, always knowing what thought, what attitude, what word, what tone of voice, what prayer, what movement, what action You want”

There is a book called “The Virgin Mary in the Kingdom of the Divine Will” (google it if you want more…) in which Virgin Mary says that at EVERY INSTANT of Her Life She was obedient to the Divine Will. In “The Mystical City of God” She tells Mary of Agreda to be aware of the communications of the Holy Spirit, which are constant and continuous. Again, in “Divine Will” She says that the reason She became so exalted (Mother of all Christians, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, etc. etc.) was simply because She was aware of what God wanted at all times and was ALWAYS obedient to His Voice. There is a BIG reward for living this way, as a true sheep.

There is a learning curve in learning to hear God’s Voice and you won’t be an expert overnight. As a general rule, God won’t tell you something against the Church or the Bible, but He can tell things much more specific to your life than you can find in the Bible. In prayer, He may tell you “Go here” or “go talk to this person” etc. etc. Also remember this:

1. Daily Mass
2. Group Rosary daily
3. spend time before the Blessed Sacrament daily

Without these three things you will probably never be able to hear God’s Voice consistently. Remember the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They didnt know Jesus until they ate the Eucharist. Even Jesus taking them through the entire Old Testament wasn’t enough for them to gain true discernment. But when they ate the Body and Blood, then true discernment of God’s Will came (and the realization that this guy was Christ the Lord). Hope this helps and God Bless!

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

Check out Listening to God

 

[SongofShepherds]

Check out Listening to God

"Quiet Around Us - The more serene the environment, the more we can be observant to God. Avoid distractions and the proximity of distractions. " - stobie.home.sprynet.com/religion/Listening2God.htm

These are good essays and responses by all and I believe the OP said in his profile he has struggled with atheism. I had to read the profile because with a name like Awake, one might be wonder of a connection with the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

A Church can be quiet as SFO Stobie makes reference too and of course, more ideal would be an Adoration Chapel but I can see an quiet place being ideal, even somewhere in the outdoors.

---

Psalm 119 addresses these kinds of issues:

33) Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end.
34) Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
35) Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
36) Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.
37) Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.
38) Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you…

 

[Awake]

I spent many hours pondering this very same question yesterday. I have been trying to discern God’s will for me for a long time. This is what I found out:

God’s will for you is not hidden. It is not difficult to find. You don’t have to struggle to find the answers you need. A lot of people think they need some sort of mystical experience to know the will of God. This is not the case. God has shown you what he desires for you. Where do you find the answers to all your questions? All of the answers you need are in Divine Revelation i.e Scripture and Tradition. This is what God wants for you:

1. 
   
   *]He wants you to be saved through Christ. Delivered from sin, death, and eternal torment in hell. God’s will is that you embrace Christ and follow his commandments.
   
   *]God wills that you be in a State of Grace. Do not operate in ignorance and foolishness. Allow yourself to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. By frequenting the Sacraments, you will receive an abundance of grace; this will enable to discern what the Holy Spirit wants you to do.
   
   *]**God wills you to be holy, in the same way that Christ is holy. ** Follow the Gospel law and do your best to become a “little Christ.” Also look to the Saints as your role models and aim to follow in their example for they followed the example set by Christ.
   
   *]God wills that you be submissive to God, to one another in humility, and to the worldly authorities that the Lord has established i.e the Magisterium headed by the Roman Pontiff.
   
   *]God wills that you suffer for righteousness sake. You will suffer for doing what is right. In a sense, you are following Christ who suffered despite being good. The Lord wants you to face this hostile world in such a godly fashion, living such a godly life that it will bring reproach, scorn, and difficulty from family, friends, and everybody else. This is about taking up your Cross and following the Lord.
   
   *]Lastly, God wills that you be thankful in all things. Thank God constantly for the blessings and the life he has given. Rejoice in the Lord your God.
   
   If you are all of the above, do whatever you want. Marry whomever you want. Go wherever you want. Work wherever you want. Choose whatever you want. Do whatever you want because God will be in control of you desires and wants.
   
   Psalm 37:4 “Make Yahweh your joy and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Delight in the Lord and he will plant his desires in your heart. Your desires will be his desires. Therefore, do whatever you want because your desires will be a reflection of the desires God has given you.
   
   The ideas presented above are not mine. They belong to a famous evangelical preacher. However, I have put my own spin on them, in accordance with my Catholic faith. However, I think this is a fairly good answer to the question: What is the will of God in my life.
   
   Also, God has given each of us talents in life. He does not care about the trivial things in life; he cares about our salvation. He wants us to know, love and serve him. He wants us to be good and do good. It is up to us to use the talents he has given us. We are in control of our destiny. God does not care about the small decisions we make as long as we fight sin and try to do good in everything.
   
   As St Ignatius said, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” - For the Greater Glory of God. Everything we do in life has a spiritual value, including the most mundane things as long as we have the right intentions. It doesn’t matter if you’re a bucher, baker, or a candlestick maker as long as you do it for the greater glory of God.

1. 
   This would certainly seem to make the most sense to me, but I constantly hear people say that God has a very specific plan and we need to find out exactly what he wants us to do. Should I take this job offer I got? Ask God and he’ll tell you if you should. Should I take a trip to Florida or California? Ask God and he’ll tell you. Should I cook pork chops or chicken for dinner? Ask God and he’ll tell you.
   
   It would seem to me that God would only be interested in us keeping the commandments and practicing the faith, and the rest of our choices and decisions would be simply for us to decide. It would be nice to know if this was the case so I wouldn’t have to ask God’s will for every mundane detail.

 

[Awake]

I pray this prayer every day: “Holy Spirit remind me to never make one decision without asking what Your Will is, and waiting for Your Still Small Voice.”

 Jesus said "My sheep hear my Voice."  The Voice of God can be heard and it can be as specific as you need it to be.  There are questions that cannot be answered by the Bible or the Catechism because they are too specific.  God do you want me to take this job or that job?  The Bible can't answer that.  Thus there will be thousands and millions of decisions during your life where you will need to be able to hear the Voice of God.  "My sheep hear my Voice."  Part of being sheep-like means we are relying on the Master for everything, and not relying on ourselves or our own understanding.  The Bible says to "lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him."  Let me teach you some key prayers that should become part of a sheep's vocabulary:

“Your Will God”

“Father not my will but Yours be done”

“Whatever You want Lord I’ll do it”

“Speak Lord: make Your Will clear”

“Jesus remind me to never make one decision without asking what Your Will is and waiting for Your Still Small Voice”

“Holy Spirit help me wait on You without anxiety or expectation, meditating on Your Presence within me, until You make Your will clear”

“Holy Spirit help me form deepest Intimacy with You and Your Divine Will, always knowing what thought, what attitude, what word, what tone of voice, what prayer, what movement, what action You want”

There is a book called “The Virgin Mary in the Kingdom of the Divine Will” (google it if you want more…) in which Virgin Mary says that at EVERY INSTANT of Her Life She was obedient to the Divine Will. In “The Mystical City of God” She tells Mary of Agreda to be aware of the communications of the Holy Spirit, which are constant and continuous. Again, in “Divine Will” She says that the reason She became so exalted (Mother of all Christians, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, etc. etc.) was simply because She was aware of what God wanted at all times and was ALWAYS obedient to His Voice. There is a BIG reward for living this way, as a true sheep.

There is a learning curve in learning to hear God’s Voice and you won’t be an expert overnight. As a general rule, God won’t tell you something against the Church or the Bible, but He can tell things much more specific to your life than you can find in the Bible. In prayer, He may tell you “Go here” or “go talk to this person” etc. etc. Also remember this:

1. Daily Mass
2. Group Rosary daily
3. spend time before the Blessed Sacrament daily

Without these three things you will probably never be able to hear God’s Voice consistently. Remember the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They didnt know Jesus until they ate the Eucharist. Even Jesus taking them through the entire Old Testament wasn’t enough for them to gain true discernment. But when they ate the Body and Blood, then true discernment of God’s Will came (and the realization that this guy was Christ the Lord). Hope this helps and God Bless!

T.A.Stobie:

Check out Listening to God

This seems to just be based on feeling. If I feel good about doing something or it appears as though it will bring me peace, then it is God’s will.

 

[three-sixteen]

its not only feelings and peace and love of God. It often is literally a Still Small Voice. In 1 Kings 19 Elijah first felt a strong wind, then an earthquake, and then a fire (God was not “in” these things) before he heard the Still Small Voice of God. God can speak in other ways, but there are times when He will just tell you something using words. But it is a small, not huge Voice, and you won’t learn to hear It if you don’t want to hear it nor put in the time to listen for it.

I pray God will show you what decisions He wants you to ask His directions for.  Then wait with your eyes closed and relax.  Focus on His presence.  Where is His presence?  On the inside of you!  Jesus said: "the Kingdom of God is within you."  Every Catholic is taught that the Holy Spirit lives inside of us after our baptism.  Start to give Him attention there in our mind and heart, otherwise He will be lonely.....  You might as well make the most of Him, since He is our Comforter, Protector, and Guide (Paraclete).  

 You may have to listen a long time before you hear Him say anything.  But when you hear the Voice it will be worth it.  Then you can get better and faster at hearing It to the point where it becomes second nature.  Ever read in the Old Testament where "the Word of the Lord came to... so and so?"  What do you think they were hearing but the Still Small Voice.  If in the old covenant they could hear the Still Small Voice, how much more can we Christians hear It.  You don't have to pray about which plate to pick up first when you are washing dishes, but I pray God will show when He wants you to ask Him what to do.  I hope this helps :)

 

[Awake]

its not only feelings and peace and love of God. It often is literally a Still Small Voice. In 1 Kings 19 Elijah first felt a strong wind, then an earthquake, and then a fire (God was not “in” these things) before he heard the Still Small Voice of God. God can speak in other ways, but there are times when He will just tell you something using words. But it is a small, not huge Voice, and you won’t learn to hear It if you don’t want to hear it nor put in the time to listen for it.

I pray God will show you what decisions He wants you to ask His directions for.  Then wait with your eyes closed and relax.  Focus on His presence.  Where is His presence?  On the inside of you!  Jesus said: "the Kingdom of God is within you."  Every Catholic is taught that the Holy Spirit lives inside of us after our baptism.  Start to give Him attention there in our mind and heart, otherwise He will be lonely.....  You might as well make the most of Him, since He is our Comforter, Protector, and Guide (Paraclete).  

 You may have to listen a long time before you hear Him say anything.  But when you hear the Voice it will be worth it.  Then you can get better and faster at hearing It to the point where it becomes second nature.  Ever read in the Old Testament where "the Word of the Lord came to... so and so?"  What do you think they were hearing but the Still Small Voice.  If in the old covenant they could hear the Still Small Voice, how much more can we Christians hear It.  You don't have to pray about which plate to pick up first when you are washing dishes, but I pray God will show when He wants you to ask Him what to do.  I hope this helps :)

And what if he doesn’t tell you something using words?

 

[SawGodThere]

God will answer your questions through you. In addition to listening to God, contemplate your problem. Think of somewhere in the Bible where it addresses your problem. If you can’t, then ask God to guide you and randomly open the Bible. It usually works. Read, and research. God may not answer you in person, but he has done that to others, who have recorded what they know. God’s teachings are the greatest tool we have.

 

[brigid12]

This seems to just be based on feeling. If I feel good about doing something or it appears as though it will bring me peace, then it is God’s will.

Remember, He doesn’t want us to harden our hearts! He wants us to be wise as serpents (use our heads) and gentle as doves (soft-hearted).

For example: 1) a job offer - it makes all logical sense but you feel anxiety about it: that means more discernment is needed before taking the job, 2) it makes logical sense (and is inline with His Commandments) and you feel peaceful about it - probably ok.

 

[Awake]

Remember, He doesn’t want us to harden our hearts! He wants us to be wise as serpents (use our heads) and gentle as doves (soft-hearted).

For example: 1) a job offer - it makes all logical sense but you feel anxiety about it: that means more discernment is needed before taking the job, 2) it makes logical sense (and is inline with His Commandments) and you feel peaceful about it - probably ok.

How do I differentiate between that and my feelings. They sound exactly the same.

 

[brigid12]

How do I differentiate between that and my feelings. They sound exactly the same.

You are using your feelings but not only your feelings! Remember that in Scripture we are told that God put desires in our hearts. We need to access them, but not our concupiscence (sp?)! So we need to use a lot of sincere prayer to Him (especially in His Presence) to access our true desires, along with using our minds to make sure it makes logical sense and follows all we know of God’s Law and Tradition - essentially re-connecting the “telephone line” between our head and our heart so we can find what desire He has put in our heart.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[three-sixteen]

awake, Jesus said when you pray, go into your room (some translations: “closet”) and shut your door, and pray to your Father in secret. This has a literal and a mystical meaning. Literally, it means go where there aren’t distractions (a church, an empty room, or even literally a closet–i prayed in a janitor’s closet once…). Here is the mystical meaning: your “room” is where God dwells–inside of you. This is the “secret place” where your Father is. And when Jesus says “shut your door” this mystically means to shut your eyes, because what you see can be a distraction when you are trying to focus on God and His Presence inside of us. Now while you are mediating on God’s Presence with your eyes shut, and in a quiet place, you are fit to hear the Voice of God. It is a still small voice. He can tell you exactly what to do. His Voice is almost like a whisper, but it is real and a real Voice. Satans voice is loud: emotions and passions and lusts that go against what God wants, friends inviting to sinful activities, lustful pictures and ads on the television, unforgiving thoughts of bitterness or anger. These things are all very loud and strong. But God’s Voice, the Creator of the Universe, is actually quite small, and you have to be still and quiet to hear it, like i said, in your prayer “closet” and with your “door” shut.

This process is worth the commitment and will pay off big for you. Christianity is really a lot simpler than many people make it out to be. You don’t have to know all the statutes and laws and the whole Bible perfectly. Because if you can hear the Still Small Voice you can easily and like a child go to your Father any time you have a problem or question, and be comforted and find aid and direction. God Bless!

 

[Awake]

You are using your feelings but not only your feelings! Remember that in Scripture we are told that God put desires in our hearts. We need to access them, but not our concupiscence (sp?)! So we need to use a lot of sincere prayer to Him (especially in His Presence) to access our true desires, along with using our minds to make sure it makes logical sense and follows all we know of God’s Law and Tradition - essentially re-connecting the “telephone line” between our head and our heart so we can find what desire He has put in our heart.

I hope that makes sense.

Sort of. Thanks.

 

[Awake]

awake, Jesus said when you pray, go into your room (some translations: “closet”) and shut your door, and pray to your Father in secret. This has a literal and a mystical meaning. Literally, it means go where there aren’t distractions (a church, an empty room, or even literally a closet–i prayed in a janitor’s closet once…). Here is the mystical meaning: your “room” is where God dwells–inside of you. This is the “secret place” where your Father is. And when Jesus says “shut your door” this mystically means to shut your eyes, because what you see can be a distraction when you are trying to focus on God and His Presence inside of us. Now while you are mediating on God’s Presence with your eyes shut, and in a quiet place, you are fit to hear the Voice of God. It is a still small voice. He can tell you exactly what to do. His Voice is almost like a whisper, but it is real and a real Voice. Satans voice is loud: emotions and passions and lusts that go against what God wants, friends inviting to sinful activities, lustful pictures and ads on the television, unforgiving thoughts of bitterness or anger. These things are all very loud and strong. But God’s Voice, the Creator of the Universe, is actually quite small, and you have to be still and quiet to hear it, like i said, in your prayer “closet” and with your “door” shut.

This process is worth the commitment and will pay off big for you. Christianity is really a lot simpler than many people make it out to be. You don’t have to know all the statutes and laws and the whole Bible perfectly. Because if you can hear the Still Small Voice you can easily and like a child go to your Father any time you have a problem or question, and be comforted and find aid and direction. God Bless!

I think I might be starting to get what you’re saying. So let me see if I understand you correctly. (Not just you 316, but brigid and other people who have provided (name removed by moderator)ut.)

Since the ultimate goal of prayer is to conform our will to that of God’s, God will somehow actually change our will deep within us when we pray. And then since our will matches that of God’s, we can follow what we believe. (Obviously, as long as we went into prayer with an open mind.)

Is this along the lines of what you all are saying?

 

[brigid12]

I think I might be starting to get what you’re saying. So let me see if I understand you correctly. (Not just you 316, but brigid and other people who have provided (name removed by moderator)ut.)

Since the ultimate goal of prayer is to conform our will to that of God’s, God will somehow actually change our will deep within us when we pray. And then since our will matches that of God’s, we can follow what we believe. (Obviously, as long as we went into prayer with an open mind.)

Is this along the lines of what you all are saying?

In a way - in sincere prayer our will is “re-joined” with His (remember, at Creation, that’s the way a human’s was anyway) and we are able to access it again the way He Created it to be. If our will (or what we think is our will) is not in conformity with His then He (if we’ve given Him our go-ahead as He is a very polite God!) cleans off the “garbage” of our concupiscence so it conforms with His once again.

Clearer?

 

[three-sixteen]

God will slowly change our desires so that will be “conformed to the image of Christ.” But this will take many Communions and much prayer. Just spending time with God often is a good way to get to know Him and His Voice. i like to take prayer walks in nature. Just talk to God and tell Him your needs and desires and thank Him for all His Blessings. This is probably the most important thing. if you were married, you would want to spend quality time each day with your spouse. Otherwise the relationship would eventually deteriorate (sp?). The same goes with God, Who is supposed to be our “first love” and our Spouse (we are the “bride of Christ”).

Do you spend quality time with God often, awake? There is nothing you can do more to please Him. The Bible says that a Christian should “pray without ceasing.” This does not mean you have to repeat the Our Father over and over all day, but it means that one should always be in a relationship to God, realizing He is with us at each moment, and including Him in our thoughts and decisions. i talk to Him constantly throughout the day. in other words, a Christian really might look like they are talking to themself constantly, but this is what the Bible says we are to do.

God is closer than any friend because He is always there and always interested in us, and always has advice and guidance 24-7. No friend in the world can compare to this. However our Spiritual Mother is there for us at all times as well, as our the Saints. What friend would keep talking to you if you called him 100 or 1000 times a day? God would and does. He never sleeps, nor gets tired of us. He will “never leave or forsake” us. praise His Holy Name!

awake, add to this on-going relationship, daily Mass and adoration, to increase the intimacy. And to make our Mom happy, see if you cant pray the Rosary each day. God Bless!