What must we do to hear God? We can be really good at talking during prayer, telling God all the things on our hearts and minds, but how do we listen?
Slow down. Take time to rest in His presence and seek His heart. Breathe in deeply the breath of God.
“Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life.” —John Mark Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
For many of us, the reason we don’t hear God speak in our lives is we are too busy or too afraid of what He might say. If we want to seek more of God and strengthen our relationship with Him, we must practice listening in prayer. We won’t always get it right; we must practice! And in time, it will become easier.
Before His crucifixion, Jesus is teaching and encouraging His disciples to abide in Him when He is gone. What does this even mean? How is this possible? They walked with Him daily for 3 years, observing everything He did and taught. They had full access to him at all times! Imagine what that would have been like to walk that closely with the Savior. But suddenly, He was gone, and they were terrified. How would they continue on without Him? How were they to "abide"? Gratefully, He instructed them in John 15.
As you read, what do you notice? What stands out to you? What does it mean to abide?
John 15:4-17
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
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In order to hear God, we must take time to be with him. Many times, we rush through a Scripture reading to check it off our list instead of abiding. In the same way we spend time with people we love, let's spend time with God.
If time allows, practice Daniel Henderson's 4/4 prayer model using John 15. Based on what you read:
- Reverence: Who is God? What does this Scripture reveal about Him and His character? Put your words into prayers. God, you are …
- Response: How Should I respond? This is a time for praise, worship, surrender, confession.
- Requests: What do I pray about? Allow the Scripture and the Holy Spirit to give you insight and prompt your heart.
- Readiness: Where do I go from here? Think about what is ahead of you today and in the future and get “battle ready.” Lord, I rely on Your power as I face the enemy, or challenge, of _________.
- Reverence: End your prayer time going back to recognize God and His character, thanking and praising Him: I praise and thank you for …