How to hear God's voice in prayer

[oniKillah]

I am wondering how to hear God’s voice in prayer. I keep making little to no progress in my life, because I can’t differentiate between my own thoughts and the thoughts/the voice of God. The reason why I’m asking is I feel that my life is going in the wrong direction (or in no direction at all) and I really feel I need God’s help, but I am a very weak Christian and very foolish at that, so I obviously need help with my life. Please pray for me.

 

[adf417]

Greetings friend-

My suggestion is to learn the Lectio Divina (divine reading) method of reading the scriptures.

I have recently started a new program - Oremus: A Guide to Catholic Prayer. In this study Fr. Mark Toups does a wonderful job directing the listener through tools for a good prayer life. One of the sessions is on Lectio Divina. This is my favorite way of talking to God and listening to Him.

https://study.ascensionpress.com/study/play/47459?new_study_registration=true

There are many good programs and paths out there that are designed to lead people closer to God so please don’t think my suggestion here is the only one by any means. And if you dont want to do the whole Oremus program, there are other Lectio Divina programs out there.

Peace!!!

 

[fide]

@adf417 above gave a very good suggestion, to learn the time-tested discipline of Lectio Divina. It is a method of learning to listen to God’s Holy Word, Scripture, in order to hear Him as He has revealed Himself, to grow in knowing Him, so as to grow in loving Him, so as to grow in living in Him - our key to beatitude.

A small book or booklet I have used in presenting the discipline of Lectio Divina (in digital/Kindle format and in printed book format) is:

Encountering Christ in Holy Scripture with Lectio Divina

The app to enable reading the digital format is free, from Amazon.

You question is a “big” one, and there is much that can be said in response. But the place to begin - to prepare - for truly hearing God, is in the Self-revelations of His Holy Scripture.

 

[Sirach2]

What may sometimes discourage us is listening to TV evangelists say that “God told me thus and so.” And they say it so often, so casually, that newcomers might think that they have special inroads for God to speak to them. Then we compare our lack of hearing as something we are doing wrong, or missing the boat.

There is often a peace that comes when we have prayed and this gives us a nudge to go ahead with what we believe God is suggesting to our heart. I like the idea others stated of listening to scripture and letting the thoughts we studied penetrate our heart. Even if nothing comes during our meditation, nevertheless, a base is formed in our mind by which God can suddenly inject a scripture when we are praying on another day and time, and not even thinking about that scripture. There is no doubt then, that it is God giving us that scripture as His holy word to us. It is a strong sense of rightness accompanied with peace.

I would also suggest a daily habit of spiritual reading and allow your meditation to penetrate your heart. It is often a very joyful knowing with a readiness to follow. There are many good devotionals available, but the key is to meditate daily in your prayer time with the Lord. St. Francis de Sales suggests making a nosegay of the day’s reading as a sort of ejaculation, and repeat it a few times during the day. It prepares your heart for a simple loving attention to God.

God bless you and give you insight.

 

[drac16]

Examine the voice(s) in light of the scriptures. If a voice says that you must worship Krishna, you can be sure that that is not from God. If you hear something that is consistent with the Bible, it’s probably from God. Especially if what it’s telling you goes against conventional thinking. One time, the Lord asked me to sleep naked because He wanted me to be like the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah was a saintly man, so imitating him would be a good thing. I would never think to do something like that, but it was consistent with scripture, so I did it.

 

[Eddycrocker2165]

Gods voice isn’t necessarily a physical voice telling us what to do or what not to do. His voice doesn’t speak to our senses, If he did our obedience to that voice would be filtered or interpreted through our senses. His voice goes deeper to our heart and spirit that way the outflow of what he spoke to us will be carried out spontaneously without the flesh hindering his voice. His voice is spirit law governing our heats and minds by the Holy Spirit. This is the order of Melchizedek’s priesthood being manifested through Jesus in us as that great Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit governs our consciousness as that Spirit law on our hearts and minds. This is God’s voice manifested as our very life and existence as scripture says-Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Jesus is God and his word proceeds out of his mouth and we are one with a Jesus which is that great and Holy Spirit within us.

 

[Minks]

Greetings friend-

My suggestion is to learn the Lectio Divina (divine reading) method of reading the scriptures.

I have recently started a new program - Oremus: A Guide to Catholic Prayer. In this study Fr. Mark Toups does a wonderful job directing the listener through tools for a good prayer life. One of the sessions is on Lectio Divina. This is my favorite way of talking to God and listening to Him.

https://study.ascensionpress.com/study/play/47459?new_study_registration=true

There are many good programs and paths out there that are designed to lead people closer to God so please don’t think my suggestion here is the only one by any means. And if you dont want to do the whole Oremus program, there are other Lectio Divina programs out there.

Peace!!!

Thank you, adf417, for this information!