How do we hear from God?

[velvetsky]

Hi there, I’m sure this must sound like a silly question but when we pray and ask God to speak to our hearts regarding situations or maybe decisions to make in life etc,I don’t feel anything. I know He’s not likely to boom a voice down from heaven but I’ve heard that when we pray we should listen to God etc.
I’ve heard some say you can ask for a sign(But i don’t know if thats true) .

 

[Bookcat]

Hi there, I’m sure this must sound like a silly question but when we pray and ask God to speak to our hearts regarding situations or maybe decisions to make in life etc,I don’t feel anything. I know He’s not likely to boom a voice down from heaven but I’ve heard that when we pray we should listen to God etc.
I’ve heard some say you can ask for a sign(But i don’t know if thats true) .

Yes silence is important…but normally one does not “hear” God with ones ears (except via the Church…Scripture etc)…

frjacquesphilippe.com/themes/gods_calls.html

a little book or 2 for you…he is very good…

frjacquesphilippe.com/books/called_to_life.html

frjacquesphilippe.com/books/school_ofthe_holyspirit.html

frjacquesphilippe.com/themes/gods_calls.html

frjacquesphilippe.com/themes/spiritual_discernment.html

frjacquesphilippe.com/themes/obedience_to_inspirations.html

 

[Stylites]

I believe that the Church teaches that among other sources we can hear the voice of God coming from the poor, from those who are hurting, and hungry, and lonely, and abandoned, and neglected and abused.

.

 

[velvetsky]

Thankyou Bookcat for the book info, I will look into getting these

 

[velvetsky]

I believe that the Church teaches that among other sources we can hear the voice of God coming from the poor, from those who are hurting, and hungry, and lonely, and abandoned, and neglected and abused.

.

Yes I agree, I feel like God reveals himself when we love one another, and go the extra mile to help others etc but when we seek God’s guidance in prayer etc, or need more understanding, I hear people say that He spoke to them (An answer came to them in prayer)…but, well I don’t get this

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

There is no one way, God is infinite as are the ways in which He communicates to us.

The main way however is through His priests.

 

[plato3]

I agree there are so many ways. God speaks through situations, and other people. When trouble comes to a person they sometimes hear the voice of God calling them to return to the faith that they walked away from. Especially after the death of a loved one. At the birth of a child, some have returned to the faith, having heard God’s voice in this blessed event.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi there, I’m sure this must sound like a silly question but when we pray and ask God to speak to our hearts regarding situations or maybe decisions to make in life etc,I don’t feel anything. I know He’s not likely to boom a voice down from heaven but I’ve heard that when we pray we should listen to God etc.
I’ve heard some say you can ask for a sign(But i don’t know if thats true) .

we ordinarily hear God speak through the ordinary means he has given us: the teaching of the Church, not only the preaching and formal instruction, but the prayers, the liturgy and so forth, and sacred scripture, and the counsel of wise, informed people who know us well, especially those charged with our spiritual health, such as parents, pastors, catechists etc. The prophets don’t speak of a boom but of a still, small voice, and the book with that title by Fr. Groeschel is an excellent guide to hearing God speak and discerning his will. You won’t hear at all if you don’t listen.

 

[T_Hope]

We ask, and remain prayerful as we go about our day.
I am not Catholic, but I have prayed for help in finding purpose to my life and just this morning while reading a post that I had responded to yesterday, a member of the Catholic Church explained exactly what I had perceived as an answer to my own prayer just the other night but could not quite translate into words as I posted - his or her post was like a sign to me, which I did not ask for, but it confirmed what God has been trying to show me in my desire to understand certain things.
I know that I am asking the right questions and I am looking for those answers in the right place. It was an answer to prayer.
So, I might suggest that one way we hear from God is through other people.
Hope

 

[geekborj]

Indeed God speaks to men in very special and unique ways known only to each person.

Of course, there is one ordinary way through which God communicates to us: THROUGH THE CHURCH. When our Bishops (esp. the supreme Bishop, the Pope) teaches us on Morals and Faith, God (in effect) speaks through them as the Holy Spirit guides them. They are the Church representatives which – like Peter – answers and asks God in our behalf.

He said to his Apostles, “he who hears you, hears me.” If we are in doubt about the teachings in Faith and Morals, “ask the Church.” Jesus did not say anything about “directly praying to God.” But in essence, we must pray in group (“at least three of you”) so that anything that we ask shall be granted. Hence, the Church communicates with God and through the Church, God communicates to each of us – this is above and beyond the individual “contact” that we got to God.

Wait, let’s ask the Saints…

 

[velvetsky]

I agree there are so many ways. God speaks through situations, and other people. When trouble comes to a person they sometimes hear the voice of God calling them to return to the faith that they walked away from. Especially after the death of a loved one. At the birth of a child, some have returned to the faith, having heard God’s voice in this blessed event.

yes thats so true about God calling those back to faith, or opening the eyes of those whom were without faith. Although I was aware of that, i had forgotten this kind of communication God uses in directing us in life. Thanks Plato:thumbsup:

 

[velvetsky]

Thankyou Puzzleannie, I’m adding that book to my book list. I think it will be a beneficial read.

 

[Lief_Erikson]

Sometimes God speaks to people’s hearts when they are praying and they understand that it is Him. Often this develops in people over time, though. It’s not something anyone can “turn on.”

It can be fine to ask God for a sign. He can speak through anything in our lives that we are experiencing. He can speak through the people around us, neighbors, people we might meet, or He can speak through things as simple as signs on the road or anything we might see or experience. Sometimes we can misinterpret, but when He wants to make His will known to us, He has the resources.

The way I used to phrase prayer to understand Him, when I was first growing in faith, was, “please reveal your will to me in some way that I can clearly understand it.”

Nowadays I don’t bother with that kind of phrasing because I know He will if He wants to.

I’ll share one secret I’ve learned, something other Catholics I’ve met have experienced to. The readings of Daily Mass almost always parallel what’s happening in my life and speak to my specific situation. If not the readings, often the hymns or the prayers will speak directly to what I’m going through at the time. The Mass is a veritable boom box of God’s voice. In normal life He whispers; at Mass He shouts. Listen to the readings and prayers and hymns, the whole liturgy, as God speaking to you and your circumstances and as you speaking to Him. It’s amazing what a gold mine this can open up.

One other thing. Another way of hearing from God is just to read the Bible on your own or read from the teachings of the Church and the saints, for this shows us God’s will and teachings for how we should live in a most extraordinarily beautiful and pure way. We can simply hear Him, if we trust His Word coming to us from these sources as we should, and receive Him, and everything we need to know about the faith is there for our understanding.

We can also often receive His direction for our lives through our local priests or spiritual directors.

Then there are the really extraordinary ways He might speak, such as visions, explicitly spiritual dreams, or other such touches.

 

[acadian]

Sometimes God speaks to people’s hearts when they are praying and they understand that it is Him. Often this develops in people over time, though. It’s not something anyone can “turn on.”

It can be fine to ask God for a sign. He can speak through anything in our lives that we are experiencing. He can speak through the people around us, neighbors, people we might meet, or He can speak through things as simple as signs on the road or anything we might see or experience. Sometimes we can misinterpret, but when He wants to make His will known to us, He has the resources.

I love it! God has resources!

The way I used to phrase prayer to understand Him, when I was first growing in faith, was, “please reveal your will to me in some way that I can clearly understand it.”

Nowadays I don’t bother with that kind of phrasing because I know He will if He wants to.

I still ask for neon signs sometimes.

I’ll share one secret I’ve learned, something other Catholics I’ve met have experienced to. The readings of Daily Mass almost always parallel what’s happening in my life and speak to my specific situation. If not the readings, often the hymns or the prayers will speak directly to what I’m going through at the time. The Mass is a veritable boom box of God’s voice. In normal life He whispers; at Mass He shouts. Listen to the readings and prayers and hymns, the whole liturgy, as God speaking to you and your circumstances and as you speaking to Him. It’s amazing what a gold mine this can open up.

Yes! Yes! I have found this, too. It is almost like “themes” in my life. Could be prayer, could be helping the less fortunate, could be about loving one’s spouse (or enemy), could be about seeking forgiveness, but sometimes whatever it is that is in my life seems to be EVERYWHERE.

One other thing. Another way of hearing from God is just to read the Bible on your own or read from the teachings of the Church and the saints, for this shows us God’s will and teachings for how we should live in a most extraordinarily beautiful and pure way. We can simply hear Him, if we trust His Word coming to us from these sources as we should, and receive Him, and everything we need to know about the faith is there for our understanding.

We can also often receive His direction for our lives through our local priests or spiritual directors.

Indeed! Sometimes the homily is just what I needed to hear. Sometimes in confession, I get excellent advice. And sometimes, even if there is no advice, God speaks to me through whatever penance I’ve been given.

Then there are the really extraordinary ways He might speak, such as visions, explicitly spiritual dreams, or other such touches.

 

[Lief_Erikson]

acadian:

I love it! God has resources!

acadian:

I still ask for neon signs sometimes.

Yep; He gives them when we need them! I think this all fits together with how everything in our lives either comes according to God’s affective or His permissive will. Whatever is He either allows or does, so God is in everything. Consequently all the things we experience in life come from Him and we should praise Him in all circumstances. This shows how these signs we receive (literal and figurative ) all are part of His scheme for how we shall live. Which doesn’t mean we always interpret everything correctly, but it just shows how magnificently His will draws all things together in our lives according to His purposes.

acadian:

Yes! Yes! I have found this, too. It is almost like “themes” in my life. Could be prayer, could be helping the less fortunate, could be about loving one’s spouse (or enemy), could be about seeking forgiveness, but sometimes whatever it is that is in my life seems to be EVERYWHERE.

Exactly! It’s so extraordinary how that happens. And when I bring a guest to Mass who I know well, I often see that the Mass is focused on whatever I happen to know that person needs to know as well. Only often they aren’t paying sufficient attention because they don’t expect the Mass to be God talking about their personal lives, and they don’t grasp how powerfully God likes to speak through it.

The Mass is a most extraordinary way of hearing God. He is just always there. Physically . And that’s one place where He doesn’t choose to be at all quiet!

It’s like He enjoyed speaking to large numbers of people in need during His life on Earth so much that He couldn’t help doing it again and again all over the world from the beginning of His ministry all the way to this day . And He is there in the flesh, in the Eucharist which is the fullness of God the Son, where His Word is spoken. He is there preaching to us personally in the Mass through everything that encompasses the Mass, speaking to us as a group and very individually.

It’s amazing, truly dazzling.

acadian:

Indeed! Sometimes the homily is just what I needed to hear. Sometimes in confession, I get excellent advice. And sometimes, even if there is no advice, God speaks to me through whatever penance I’ve been given.

I think the people who most don’t hear are the people who simply don’t expect to hear, because they aren’t listening. Which is partly a lack of faith, but also a lack of familiarity with how intimate God loves to be with men. A lack of experience that mercifully He can and does help people with .

 

[velvetsky]

I’m really grateful for all the posts, and for the answers you’ve all given. Lief, your post in particular has really given me food for thought…it’s made me look at my life and the situation i’m in and be reminded that God truly is there in the midst of things, and that he does care about us all. (Sometimes, lately I’d been worrying I wasn’t as close to God, through all my prayers I felt He was getting further away. I’d be lost without God) But with you saying how He can communicate with us through different means, people, Mass, priests, Bible…it’s helped me to see that He has been doing just that with me, as He does with all of us. God truly is amazing isn’t He.

 

[Lief_Erikson]

Indeed He is! I love Him and the vast array of ways through which He loves to speak to His people.

 

[aspirant]

I don’t feel anything.

Don’t worry. We don’t rely on feelings.

we ordinarily hear God speak through the ordinary means he has given us: the teaching of the Church, not only the preaching and formal instruction, but the prayers, the liturgy and so forth, and sacred scripture, and the counsel of wise, informed people who know us well, especially those charged with our spiritual health, such as parents, pastors, catechists etc. The prophets don’t speak of a boom but of a still, small voice, and the book with that title by Fr. Groeschel is an excellent guide to hearing God speak and discerning his will. You won’t hear at all if you don’t listen.

Reason and conscience are also gifts God has given to guide us. The more we inform them with truth, the better they will do their jobs.