Developing a Listening Heart

Developing a Listening Heart Devotional Reading June 7, 2023

There was a time that 100% of my prayers involved asking God for the desires of my heart. I always started my prayers with gratitude for a new day and thanked God for protection from physical danger and spiritual warfare, but focused more on asking for the things that I thought would improve the quality of my life. Now as I reflect on how I used to pray, I don’t look down on myself for those times because I realize my spoken words reflected spiritual immaturity.

I recently heard an inspiring story shared by Dr. Charles Stanley during one of his last sermons. He shared an experience during his time at Seminary College, where he faced many challenges. He had planned to go to California with his wife for a mission trip from June to August and was eagerly waiting for summer break.

One Saturday morning, after their luggage was packed, he awakened after a restless night and realized something was wrong. He told his wife that he felt the need to pray and went to his study, which was a converted spare bedroom. He spent the whole day fasting and praying from 9 am to 6 pm.

Afterward, Dr. Stanley informed his spouse that he received a divine message from God to cancel their planned mission trip and instead visit his parents’ cabin in the North Carolina mountains. They heeded God’s guidance and changed their itinerary from California to North Carolina. A gentleman came to their door a week later, asking Dr. Stanley to preach at the nearby church on Sunday. Dr. Stanley consented and gave multiple sermons throughout their summer sojourn in North Carolina.

The members were elated to have the Stanley’s and immediately expressed that he would make a great pastor. The church committee was also impressed and offered him the position of pastor, which he accepted. However, he made it clear that he could not start until he finished the last year of Seminary, which began in September of that year. The church committee agreed to this and appointed a temporary pastor in the meantime.

Because of his desire to obey God, he had a pastoral position waiting as soon as he graduated. While a student in the Seminary, he learned that one must separate themselves and diligently pray and fast when seeking God’s guidance and blessings.

How did God speak to Dr. Stanley? And how did he know that it was God speaking to him?

We pray—the Holy Spirit intercedes by taking our prayers to—Jesus, Our Heavenly Intercessor.

God gives us biblical instructions for praying: “Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” —Jeremiah 33:3

The mystery of the Holy Spirit is to be everywhere to everyone who prays at any time of the day or night: “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever…” —John 14:16

Have you ever been in a dilemma and prayed for help? You were given the answer of spiritual wisdom by the Holy Spirit who spoke to you through your thoughts or the Scriptures.

The Holy Spirit Helps Us in Our Weaknesses and Intercedes for Us
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people by the will of God” —Romans 8:26-27

The Holy Spirit is Our Source of Revelation, Wisdom, and Power
“These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except for their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.” —1 Corinthians 2:10-12

One of the roles of the Holy Spirit: “The Holy Spirit reveals God’s thoughts, teaches, and guides believers into all truth.” christianity.com

How do we know that it is God speaking to us? “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” —Jeremiah 29:12

Jesus is Our Heavenly Intercessor: “Romans 8:34 says that Jesus ‘is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.’ In 1 John 2:1 we read that Jesus is our ‘advocate with the Father,’ and from Hebrews 7:25 we learn that Jesus ‘always lives to intercede’ for us.” todaysdevotional.com

God tells us in the Holy Scriptures that every prayer is heard and presented to Jesus, our Heavenly Intercessor by the Holy Spirit. We can pray anywhere at any time for Divine Help! Watch out for stumbling-blocks to answered prayers!

Red Flag: Praying and then falsely discerning your thoughts as God’s answer. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

Another Red Flag: Sometimes we may seek Divine guidance through prayer, but if our requests are not immediately granted, impatience can set in. It’s important to resist the urge to take matters into our own hands and rush ahead of God. Even though it may not seem like disobedience, such actions can have negative consequences that significantly affect our lives.

Is it God answering my prayer? First, we will clarify that Satan has limitations that are imposed on him by God. He does not have the freedom to crush the righteous! [Study Job Chapter 1].

Prayer immediately places us in the presence of the Most High God. Evil cannot exist in the presence of God’s holiness! We also have guardian angels who fight off the spiritual warfare of evil angels who can never exist in the presence of the person who prays.

Take the Time to Put God First: Most importantly, your times of daily worship should be unhurried and at least twice a day in solitude [this is aside from family worship]. Pray and ask God to speak to you. Meditate and read a chapter of the Bible. Incorporating soft Christian instrumental music or a worship song creates an atmosphere that invites the presence of the Holy Spirit who will initiate your heart to discern and respond to the presence of God.

Cultivating a heart that listens requires the daily habit of intentional and meaningful worship. This level of worship shuts out all distractions and allows two-way communication between us and God. From our commitment, we receive spiritual guidance and restoration. And our love for Christ intensifies!

Although there are times when God remains quiet, it is essential to understand that He cherishes the moments we spend praying, praising, and worshipping Him. If we persevere with obedience during the quiet times then we will receive the much-awaited blessings that God has for us.

Endurance produces faithful and steadfast believers who live and think as Christ did in His earthly life, to always pray for God’s will to be revealed.

Time with God is never wasted. By learning to listen and hear God’s voice, whether through our thoughts or the Scriptures, our worship elevates to a higher level, and our lives are transformed. Moreover, this practice prepares us for the life that awaits us in the New Heaven and New Earth—worshiping the Creator God.

Prayer: God, we need to hear from You. Our lives are not going as planned. Forgive us for not spending the time with You that You rightfully deserve. We give You all the honor, glory, and praise and thank You for Your love, grace, and mercies. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

© 2023 Steps2spiritualsuccesswithsolutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries