Time to Listen

Core Scripture: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

Message: Conversations can be interesting. Most would agree that an effective conversation involves sound input, listening, and understanding from both sides. Have you ever had that moment, however, when your conversation is dominated by the other person?

You feel unheard. A little frustrated probably. You want to get in a word, but the other person just goes on and on. A blind date I once had was like that. All she did was talk about herself! Guess what? That was the first and last time I ever saw her. Probably for the best.

I had a conversation this morning. It was my prayer time with the Lord, and it didn’t start off so great. I was the one doing all the talking. God listened, and although it felt good to get a lot of stuff off my chest, something was missing.

I forgot to listen.

What does that look like? It might seem foreign to some considering God’s voice is not necessarily audible. I went back to the simplest of formulas, using visualization. I visualized Jesus sitting across from me, using Jonathon Roumie from The Chosen as inspiration.

But it was more than just seeing Jesus. I allowed him to talk to me. And I listened. A part of our conversation went like this …

Clint: How should I spend the rest of my day off, Lord?

Jesus: Why don’t you write on your blog?

Clint: But I have lacked inspiration lately. And I don’t know what I would write about.

Jesus: You could write about us.

Clint: Us … how? I don’t get it.

Jesus: This conversation. Prayer is a conversation, Clint, and you are finally listening to me.

Clint: Yeah, my prayer life has been rather dry lately.

Jesus: But you are getting it right now. Listening to me. Why not share with others so they can be inspired to do the same?

Clint: Thanks, Lord! I think I will.

Jesus: Don’t think … DO. Thinking about it is one thing but be a doer of the Word.

We talked some more. That was just one part of our conversation. What I found was the most effective part of my prayer happened after my boys left for school. In the heart of my quiet time. With no distractions. I knew they were coming down, but after hugging them goodbye, that was when my prayer took on a whole new meaning.

Jesus modeled this for us numerous times in the Bible. These passages are so easy to skip over, too. All they state is the fact that Jesus went away to pray. Sometimes it was in the mountains. Other times it was in a secluded spot, like the Garden of Gethsemane. The constant was that He was always alone and quiet.

In His sermon on the mount in Mathew 6:6, Jesus gives us this recipe for prayer: “When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your Father who is with you.” It is amazing how God’s voice is that much clearer when I quiet the world around me.

Even cooler is the thought that I can go to God any time of the day. He never takes time off! I can find Him when my alarm jolts me awake at midnight or in the busyness of my day. God is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

What about you? When was the last time you listened to God? I mean really listened? Slow down. Make a prayer appointment with Him. Find that quiet place, pour your heart out, and wait for His response. Listen! Even more importantly, go out and DO.

You won’t regret it.

Challenge: Make a prayer appointment with God. After sharing your heart, quiet yourself to listen to His reply. Use that spiritual nudge to follow through.

Bible study: Read Matthew 9:6-13, and journal about or discuss the following questions …

How does the Lord’s prayer begin?
What does the Lord’s prayer ask for?
How does your own prayer life coincide with this model prayer?

Just for fun: My bedtime prayer as a child was recited every night my parents tucked me in. It went like this …

Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. God bless, Mommy and Daddy, Clay and Curt, all my friends and relatives. Please make me a good little boy and always do what Mommy and Daddy tell me to, because they know best. Amen.

My babysitters always loved that last line. 😊

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the opportunity to communicate with you through prayer. Help me quiet myself from the distractions of this world so I can listen to Your voice. Amen.