How to Transform Your Life With Listening Prayer

I slip into the woods on a Thursday evening to get lost in the chatter of the pine squirrels, the southbound honking of the Canada geese, and the kind of listening prayer that shapes a woman from the inside out.

Autumn days are getting shorter in these parts.

The afternoon sunshine foreshadows the coming months of darkness.

There are whispers of vermillion on the tree line.

I sit in silence to admire a row of golden aspen and read the words of Dallas Willard.  His book Hearing God is changing the way I approach prayer:

“Hearing God? A daring idea, some would say—presumptuous and even dangerous. But what if we are made for it? What if the human system simply will not function properly without it? There are good reasons to think it will not. The fine texture as well as the grand movements of life show our need to hear God. Isn’t it more presumptuous and dangerous, in fact, to undertake human existence without hearing God?”

Creating Space for Listening Prayer

As the squirrels gnaw on walnuts, I recognize my need to create more space to hear from God amid the chatter of my full days.

I’m good at spouting off lists of requests.  Meanwhile, I sense an invitation to silence myself and press close to the heart of my Father.

This evening, I begin by pulling out a notebook.  I list the various ministries in my life: my calling as a mother and wife, close friendships, my work as a writer, the women I mentor, and places I interact within our community.

In the days that follow, I change the way I pray.

Each morning, I open my notebook and focus on one of the key areas in my life.  I spend ten minutes sitting with the Lord in silence.  I ask him to align my heart with his heart, show me what I need to know, and enlighten me with his perspective.

Finally, I write down whatever comes to mind and test the impression with the following questions:

1. Does it align with Scripture and what I know of God in the Bible?
2. Does it adhere to common sense?
3. Is it wise?
4. What would my spiritual mentor say?

A New Way to Listen

This form of listening prayer begins changing my life.

One day at a time, I slow my pace long enough to listen for God’s heartbeat regarding the most important parts of my life.

I don’t miss it when I sense the invitation to slow down and be more fully present to my children.  I can’t ignore the impressions about softening my rough edges, letting go of perfectionism, and making time for the people who matter most in my life.

Over time, this focused prayer directs my footsteps, guides my decisions, and narrows my focus.

The Lord uses it to mold me through difficulties and draw me close to his heart through uncertainties.

A New Way to Pray

Are you searching for direction in life?

Do you want to bear more fruit in your relationships?

Are you ready to find freedom in the places where you feel stuck?

God wants to help you and direct you in each of these areas.  He waits for you to still yourself and seek his perspective.

He’s inviting you to carve out time to let him speak into the most important areas of your life.

God invites you to create space for him to speak into your life on a regular basis. #prayer #listeningprayer #powerfulprayers Click To Tweet

Your Invitation to Listening Prayer:

Here’s your invitation:

Write down the parts of your life that matter most to you, the places where God has called you to serve.

Write each focus area on a different piece of paper, or save them in different files on your computer.  Your focus areas might include your family, your career, friendships, service within your church, extended family, neighbors, or anywhere else God has called you to serve.

Each morning, choose one focus area.  Quietly let your mind settle on this focus area.  Ask the Lord to unite your heart with his heart in this area of your life.  Write down any thoughts that come to mind.

Use the four questions below to test the impressions on your heart.

1. Does it align with Scripture and what I know of God in the Bible?
2. Does it adhere to common sense?
3. Is it wise?
4. What would my spiritual mentor say?

The Lord wants to direct you.  Follow where you sense he is leading.  You might be surprised by the work he does in your life as you follow him in this new way of pursuing listening prayer.

A Free Devotional to Transform Your Prayer Life:

How would you like to spend the next seven days developing a deeper prayer life? I have a gift for you today: My seven-day prayer guide Kingdom Prayers.  Each day this guide will help you pray powerful prayers to unleash God’s power in your life and in the world around you.  Get your free download right here.

 

Attention, all moms and daughters!

Lastly, in addition to writing to adults, I am also passionate about ministering to the next generation.

My 12-year-old daughter Bekah and I wrote a mother-daughter devotional book together.  We hope to help moms and daughters connect and grow in faith together.  Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith includes 60 devotions with Scripture, commentaries from both of us, conversation starters, and even a shared journaling section.

Our vision is for girls ages 7-17 to enjoy it with their moms, grandmas, or older women they look up to.  However, mothers and daughters of all ages are using this book to grow closer together!  This book makes a wonderful gift for a mother or daughter you care about!

You can buy your paperback or eBook on Amazon right here.