Volume 1, Issue 2, Article 1 Listening prayer
Listening Prayer?
Often we go to the Lord with a laundry list of needs. Much more rarely, do we sit, and listen.
Listening Prayer is a term for this kind of prayer. Prayer where we are asking God to speak directly into our thoughts with words, images, strong feelings. This is a biblical concept, practiced over the centuries by new testament believers, but lost for some of us.
A format for Listening Prayer:
1. Still and quiet your soul: Quiet and still your soul before God from the cares of the day.
2. Resist the enemy: Take your place of authority by saying something like," In the name of Jesus Christ, I prohibit the enemy from speaking or interfering with this time."
3. Invoke His presence: Praise and acknowledge God as the One who is truly there. Ask that He would especially reveal Himself to you during your time of listening.
4. Ask God to search your heart: Talk to Him about what he reveals, and confess any known sin.
5. Ask God to speak to you: Use the model of Samuel,"speak Lord, for I your servant am listening."
6. Wait in silence: Be still and quietly wait before Him.
7. Use a pen and paper to write down the impressions He brings your way: Usually words, phrases, visual images or thoughts that come into your mind through His still small voice of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Several of the books that speak to this practice are below:
Can You Hear Me? - Brad Jursak: In this book the author address the biblical basis for hearing directly from God. He was approached by a good friend one day, who compared his spiritual life to the scripture,"you have the appearance of godliness, without the power ." Highly recommended for the skeptical evangelical.
God Guides - Mary Geegh: This author was a missionary to India for 38 years, who saw very little fruit, until she was taught to lead others to hear from God through listening prayer. It tells the story of her journey into the practice, and how God used it to reach the nationals. Easily read in daily snippets of a page. Mostly annecdotal.
Listening Prayer - Leanne Payne: This is the source work for most of the present day movement in Listening prayer. Leanne is the CS Lewis scholar at Wheaton College, is 84 (as of 2007), and is Lewisonian in her writing style.
Often we go to the Lord with a laundry list of needs. Much more rarely, do we sit, and listen.
Listening Prayer is a term for this kind of prayer. Prayer where we are asking God to speak directly into our thoughts with words, images, strong feelings. This is a biblical concept, practiced over the centuries by new testament believers, but lost for some of us.
A format for Listening Prayer:
1. Still and quiet your soul: Quiet and still your soul before God from the cares of the day.
2. Resist the enemy: Take your place of authority by saying something like," In the name of Jesus Christ, I prohibit the enemy from speaking or interfering with this time."
3. Invoke His presence: Praise and acknowledge God as the One who is truly there. Ask that He would especially reveal Himself to you during your time of listening.
4. Ask God to search your heart: Talk to Him about what he reveals, and confess any known sin.
5. Ask God to speak to you: Use the model of Samuel,"speak Lord, for I your servant am listening."
6. Wait in silence: Be still and quietly wait before Him.
7. Use a pen and paper to write down the impressions He brings your way: Usually words, phrases, visual images or thoughts that come into your mind through His still small voice of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Several of the books that speak to this practice are below:
Can You Hear Me? - Brad Jursak: In this book the author address the biblical basis for hearing directly from God. He was approached by a good friend one day, who compared his spiritual life to the scripture,"you have the appearance of godliness, without the power ." Highly recommended for the skeptical evangelical.
God Guides - Mary Geegh: This author was a missionary to India for 38 years, who saw very little fruit, until she was taught to lead others to hear from God through listening prayer. It tells the story of her journey into the practice, and how God used it to reach the nationals. Easily read in daily snippets of a page. Mostly annecdotal.
Listening Prayer - Leanne Payne: This is the source work for most of the present day movement in Listening prayer. Leanne is the CS Lewis scholar at Wheaton College, is 84 (as of 2007), and is Lewisonian in her writing style.
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