Praying and Listening for God

James 5:16 says, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Last week, I was asked to lead a training on prayer to a group of Jesus-seeking, hungry-for-God, sisters in Christ.  Humbled and honored to share my experience with them on pressing into God in prayer and listening for His whispers of love, I presented the message God laid on my heart.

Since all the women found it super helpful, I thought of you, my cyber friends and cherished #truthcarriers wondering if you would also like to hear?  

There are many different ways to pray, approach God, and press into Him during your quiet time.  Here is my 3 step model to revamp your quiet time with Him!

1.  Position Yourself

Position yourself to spend quality time with The King of Kings by throwing off anything of the world and putting on the things of His Kingdom.

• Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
• Colossians 3:12-15 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Search your heart and surrender all hurts, pains, worries, distractions, uncertainties and sins to the Lord.  Lay it all down at Jesus' feet.  And then put on the things of Christ as mentioned in Colossians 3 above.

Humility, Surrender, Boldness, Faith, Expectancy should all be positions taken up!

2.  Prepare Yourself

The best way I enter into prayer and time with the Lord is through praise!  Put on your favorite praise and worship song and just sit, relax, and rest in your Father's arms. As you listen to the music, talk to God.  If a word, truth, or message in the song jumps out at your heart, talk to God about it.  If you are prompted to bring up an issue you want to take to Him to help you with, then talk to Him about it.  

Prayer is talking to God because it is your privilege as a daughter of the King since Jesus made a way through the cross.

During this time, ask the Lord, "What do you want me to know (about whatever you are talking to Him about)?

Next I spend some time preparing myself in the Word. Sometimes I read a chapter in the Bible, and sometimes, I just camp out on a verse.  However you feel led, go with it!

3.  Pay Attention

Okay!  This is the most fun part friends!  You get to actually listen to the Lord!

So you are worshipping Him, talking to Him, and listening to Him....

No, He probably won't speak in a loud audible voice (although anything is possible).  He will most likely pop a picture into your mind (don't discount it even if it seems random or off the wall), or put a verse in your mind, whisper a word, or you will just get in "impression" of something in your mind.  

The Lord will always speak in an encouraging, edifying manner, so if you at all hear anything that is condemning or discouraging, let me be clear...It is not from Jesus!  Even when the Lord is correcting an area in your life that's off track, it will still be in a way that speaks truth in love!

Be patient on hearing the Lord.  If you have never "heard" the Lord, then don't get frustrated if it takes some time to listen for how He speaks to you.  For me, the Lord normally pops a picture in my mind and as I sit and think about it, journal about it, or talk to Him in prayer about it, He will begin to reveal more.  

Remember, just like James 5:16 says, as a Daughter of God, a child of God, a believer in Christ, your prayers are powerful and effective.  When you speak, God is listening.  And since Jesus' name is the Word of God, He is eager for you to listen to His whispers of love talking back to you!

Faith in Christ is a journey, so just take one day at a time.  As you empty yourself of everything of the world, He will pour in and fill you up with abundantly, exceedingly more than all you could ask or imagine. 

Much love,

Ashley