Kristen Grossman Prose

Is there a person in your life who monopolizes every conversation? Do you ever walk away from an encounter and realize you hadn’t uttered more than a handful of words, even when that person asked you a question? A genuine conversation involves give and take, with both parties having an opportunity to be heard. In thinking about this, I realize that I can’t complain about God not speaking to me if I never give Him a chance to do so.

It can be tempting to turn prayer into a monologue in which I rattle off my litany of requests. Even when I follow prescribed prayer methods such as A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication), my own voice is often the only one I hear. If I genuinely want to hear God’s voice, I realize I must be intentional about giving Him a chance to speak.

Being Still

I can allow God to enter into conversation with me if I practice being still.

Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations. –Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Our loving Heavenly Father wants to hear my praise, confessions, and needs. He also wants me to hear His voice. Quieting my mind and body allows me the opportunity to hear what God might have to say to my spirit. The times I best listen to God are when I do not know what to do or where to turn. In these circumstances, I am able to admit I do not know even what to ask for. Then, I ask God to meet with me in my silence. These are the times I allow God the most opportunity to speak to my heart.

Jeremiah, a prophet during incredibly turbulent years of Judah’s history, seemed to have mastered listening to God’s voice. By my count, the words, “The word of the Lord came to me,” appear nineteen times in the book of Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 33, our friend receives this message from the Lord,

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.–Jeremiah 33:3

The Lord went on to tell Jeremiah that although Jerusalem was now in ruins, health and healing would once again come to the city. Despite the devastation that had been wrought by the Babylonians, there was hope for the future. One day, the Lord’s people would once again be able to sing of God’s mercy and enduring love. How wonderful that Jeremiah was a godly man open to receiving the word of the Lord. Therefore, he was able to receive the message that hope and restoration lay ahead for his war-torn homeland.

Meditating on God’s Word

Like me, do you have difficulty quieting your mind? It can be challenging to keep our thoughts from racing. Choosing a piece of Scripture to meditate on each day can allow God’s very words to enter our minds and our hearts.

Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.  –Psalm 1:1-2

Focusing on God’s word allows me to take my focus off my own thoughts and allow His thoughts to enter my mind. My goal is to spend less time talking at God, and more time being still in his presence, meditating on His word.

Dear Lord, help me to take the focus off myself and free my mind and heart to hear your voice. Amen.

How do you find ways to allow God the space to speak directly into your heart? Comment below with your ideas and experiences, I’d love to hear them!