# The Art of Listening Prayer ![rw-book-cover](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41EH9ceKJ4L._SL200_.jpg) ## Metadata - Author: [[Seth Barnes]] - Full Title: The Art of Listening Prayer - Category: #books ## Highlights - Often, our prayers are not like any other normal conversation. For many of us, they are the rote pleadings of children who know well their own needs, but understand little about their Father. Our prayers are the symptoms of shallow, impersonal relationships with Jesus. We expect God to answer through circumstances and events, but never in an actual dialogue. ([Location 64](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=64)) - The two–way communication that is foundational to all relationships is no less important for our relationship with the God who created us to be relational beings. ([Location 73](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=73)) - It requires that we ask God questions and wait for him to respond. Because it involves this process of listening, I call it “listening prayer.” It’s far more art than science, and practice does help. Over the next month, this devotional will give you help in practicing it. We need to get in the habit of asking God more ([Location 84](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=84)) - So, begin by asking yourself, “Do I want to hear the Lord’s voice enough to make it a priority in my life?” ([Location 98](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=98)) - God says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” ([Location 112](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=112)) - We waste so much time trying to please God and do the right thing, and maybe he doesn’t even really want that. Maybe he just wants to hang out with us and love on us. Wow! What a concept!” ([Location 167](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=167)) - We don’t want to dishonor him by attributing words to him that he never uttered. But we never consider the disrespect of appearing deaf before the Almighty. ([Location 195](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=195)) - Begin in silence. Ask the Lord to speak to you by showing you your heart. ([Location 206](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=206)) - Next, ask the Lord a question and wait for his reply in faith. Remember James 1:5—7: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God.” When you receive an impression of what the Lord may be saying, write it down. ([Location 208](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=208)) - We will talk more about the journaling process tomorrow. For now, let me share a simple and helpful method. In a quiet room with your Bible(s) and journal, take two different colored ink pens. Use the first ink color to record your own thoughts. You’ll use the second pen to record what you sense God is saying. The different colored inks clarify “who’s talking.” I use a black pen to record my prayers. If the Lord responds to a question I’ve asked, I journal this in blue ink. ([Location 222](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=222)) - He is a gentle and good Shepherd; trust him to speak to you. ([Location 236](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=236)) - Regularly “tuning into” the Lord’s voice builds the habit patterns of submission and expectancy that are necessary for the exercise of spiritual gifts. ([Location 274](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=274)) - Sometimes all we hear from God is silence – notice how this generally happens when we have previously ignored him by willfully going our own way. This creates distance and can get in the way of listening prayer. In other words, our sin can quench the Spirit. But, if we open ourselves up to him, he will show us how we can be restored in our personal relationship. ([Location 285](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=285)) - The Holy Spirit speaks to us about our sin not to condemn us, but to help us draw near to him. ([Location 287](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=287)) - How do we avoid mistaking our own thoughts for God’s? Obviously, our first check it to see if it lines up with Scripture. ([Location 296](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=296)) - 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” But how do we do this?  Ask the Following Questions to Clarify if God Has Spoken:  • Was it a clear word or just an impression? God may give us different degrees of confidence in what he has said. We therefore need to humbly admit our fallibility.   • Does it exalt Christ? (John 16:14)   • Is it Scriptural? Scripture is our authority. God does not contradict himself. (Proverbs 30:5—6)   • Do other Christians confirm it? (Proverbs 20:18, Proverbs 15:22)    • Will it produce good fruit? (John 15:1—16)   • Will it produce spiritual growth? (John 11:41—42, Isaiah 55:10)   • Does God cause it to actually take place? (Isaiah 55:11, Deuteronomy 18:21—22) ([Location 301](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=301)) - The actual words God has spoken to your heart may be accurate, but your interpretation may be incorrect. Distinguish between the two. ([Location 311](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=311)) - In addition, be sure to ask, “What is the application?” or, “So, what now?” The word and the interpretation may be correct, but misapplied. Therefore, we may “miss” God at any of three critical steps:    1. Hearing What he said  2. Interpreting It  3. Applying It To Our Lives ([Location 313](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=313)) - Spend a minute or more just thinking about the following passage: “Should not a people inquire of their God?” (Isaiah 8:19) ([Location 318](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00PHIN8Q8&location=318))