Growing up most of my life in church I have always felt very familiar with the topic of prayer.  I have heard many teachings, read books and spent time praying.  I have so many journals filled with prayers.  Over the last week God has really been speaking to me about an aspect of prayer that I feel most Christians are lacking in our prayer life.  At least I know I was.

Prayer is how we communicate with God and just like any conversation, it’s a two-way process.  We go to God and pray and share with him but what is often forgotten is the part where we stop and listen.  So many of us, me included, forget that second part.  We are so eager to go to God with our issues, problems and concerns and we forget to be still and listen.  I know so many times I go to God in prayer and feel like there is no answer.  I begin to wonder if God is even listening.  Does he even care? It’s in those moments that I have to pause and honestly ask myself, “Am I even listening?”

I believe there have been numerous times that I never hear an answer because I am to busy chatting.  God loves when we converse with him.  We are His children and it’s great to share our hearts with him.  It builds a stronger relationship with him, but unless we are also hearing from him, our relationship can only go so far.  You can’t be in true community with someone unless they are able to speak as well.

Listening to God is the secret to experiencing his presence in your life

If we truly want an authentic relationship with God we must be in constant communication with Him.  1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Never stop praying” (NLT).  Being in constant communication will in turn develop you as a person that ultimately God will be able to use for his glory.  It’s in the secret place that God is able to build us to be used to change the world.

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.  Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6 (NLT)

God has a plan and purpose for you (Jeremiah 29:11) but we cannot walk in our calling until we are willing to listening to the one who designed it.  Spend time with the One who created you.  He is longing to be with you and He is waiting with open arms to be in a deep relationship with you.  He wants to speak to you, you just have to be available to listen.

“You speak.  I’m listening.  In the secret place I find you waiting. In the secret place I find you waiting.  In silence.  In stillness. I hear you calling me to you.  I’m listening.” – “Listening” by Worship at the Rock

***You can purchase “Listening” here.***