Prayer is a conversation with God. It is not a monologue – one-sided oration. Prayer is not delivering a grocery list of wants and needs to the One that can provide the answers. Prayer is not demanding our own way, pleading perhaps but not demanding. Prayer is a conversation and like a conversation, it is two-way. It is speaking and listening. I wonder if after my prayers, God ever thinks, “Whew, I didn’t get a word in.”
Listening goes both ways. How much time do you spend listening?
Cry out to the Lord, He hears and listens.
The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer. Psalm 6:9
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; Psalm 61:1
But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Psalm 66:19
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. Psalm 86:6
Listen to the voice of God. He speaks through His word, His Spirit, and others.
Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! Psalm 81:13
Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last. Isaiah 48:12
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7
“Prayer is communication. You talk, God listens. You listen when God talks.” — O. Anthonia
Blessings,
Diane
Written By Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and provides ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.
Think About This: “You do not need to swindle yourself into thinking that you are strong. You can face your weakness with joy because you know that you have been given grace for that weakness; grace that is not a thing, but a person—the Holy Spirit, who makes you the place where he dwells in power.” ―
The Daily Bible Reading: Reflection | You can download our 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
