Giving God room to speak

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arwen7

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Just a little note about prayer. One day while I was fasting and praying, a sudden thought came to my mind. I realized that my prayer life has often been a one-way conversation. Usually thanking or praising God or praying for others & myself about a need (or a want). I usually write my prayers down in a journal, because I have a horrible time concentrating or if I am in bed praying, half way through I end up falling asleep.

Anyway, after I wrote down my prayer, I wrote God's response assuming that He is speaking to me. It seems that we (or atleast for myself) often don't leave room for God to speak. I started doing this with my prayers regarding a mate. I confess, I am a bit skeptical about whether the replies have been from God or not (thank you Psychology), but I am keeping an open mind. And a lot of what I wrote seems to be in accordance to His Word. I figure if it wasn't God and just me 'counseling myself', atleast it gives me some peace of mind and sets me back on the right track.

Perhaps, if some of you haven't, maybe take some time to write God's response to your prayers, but discern if it is in accordance to His Word. Maybe it will provide you with some insight.
 
arwen7 said:
Just a little note about prayer. One day while I was fasting and praying, a sudden thought came to my mind. I realized that my prayer life has often been a one-way conversation. Usually thanking or praising God or praying for others & myself about a need (or a want). I usually write my prayers down in a journal, because I have a horrible time concentrating or if I am in bed praying, half way through I end up falling asleep.

Anyway, after I wrote down my prayer, I wrote God's response assuming that He is speaking to me. It seems that we (or atleast for myself) often don't leave room for God to speak. I started doing this with my prayers regarding a mate. I confess, I am a bit skeptical about whether the replies have been from God or not (thank you Psychology), but I am keeping an open mind. And a lot of what I wrote seems to be in accordance to His Word. I figure if it wasn't God and just me 'counseling myself', atleast it gives me some peace of mind and sets me back on the right track.

Perhaps, if some of you haven't, maybe take some time to write God's response to your prayers, but discern if it is in accordance to His Word. Maybe it will provide you with some insight.
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Wow, first of all welcome to CC and I like the name you chose. :)

I can really relate to your second paragraph. In some small ways I kind of envy those people who haven't been so educated. It seems like they can so much more easily discern what's from God. I find myself second-guessing myself a lot. I'm sure a lot of it also comes from being an INTJ.

As for keeping a journal of God's responses, I think it's a pretty cool idea. I don't know that I would be able to keep up with it well enough. I might have to try anyways. Thanks for sharing.
 
Thanks for sharing. :)
I've never done what you're sayiing, as far as writing out something goes. However, I certainly agree about the needing to listen to God part, rather than it being a one way thing. Sometimes when I'm praying I've just felt suddenly like He is telling me "Shut up and listen!". So, for me, just being silent and still and in the presence of God is a good thing. Of course He speaks through his word, the Bible, too.
I also think you're wise for being cautious and making sure the things you're getting are from God...and not just your own mind.
 
I have such a hard time, discerning what to do. I struggle with knowing how much I must move and act, and how much I must let God do whatever He has to do.
If I wait, I feel guilty and I'm like, God, do you want me to do something? If I do something, I'm like....God, I have no idea if this is right.

Right now I am at the crossroads in my life and I have no idea which road to take. Ultimately I like to think that whatever path I go.....He will direct my steps towards where I need to be.

Thanks for sharing those thoughts.....

Love
Meems
 
^^^One thing I have found, Miss Perfection, is when you come to a crossroads in your life, the best thing is to wait on Him and ask Him to show you what to do. In my experience, His answer generally brings a flood of peace with it. Reminds me of James 3:17

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy"

If you think that you may have an answer from God, but don't feel peaceful about it, then ask Him to give you some confirmation. If you still don't feel peaceful then it's best to just keep waiting (which can be really hard to do, I will admit.)

Like Miss Arwen said (great thread btw :)), it's important to make sure whatever you think you're hearing lines up with scripture. It's also a good idea to ask Jesus to fill you with The Holy Spirit (whom He called "The Comforter, Who will lead us into all truth"), doing so will help you discern what God wants you to do.

Listening to The Lord and spending time in His presence is SO important.......if there isn't anything really on my mind to pray about, I try to just listen. After all, He already knows what I think.........I need to know what HE thinks! ;)
 
arwen7 said:
Just a little note about prayer. One day while I was fasting and praying, a sudden thought came to my mind. I realized that my prayer life has often been a one-way conversation. Usually thanking or praising God or praying for others & myself about a need (or a want). I usually write my prayers down in a journal, because I have a horrible time concentrating or if I am in bed praying, half way through I end up falling asleep.

Anyway, after I wrote down my prayer, I wrote God's response assuming that He is speaking to me. It seems that we (or atleast for myself) often don't leave room for God to speak. I started doing this with my prayers regarding a mate. I confess, I am a bit skeptical about whether the replies have been from God or not (thank you Psychology), but I am keeping an open mind. And a lot of what I wrote seems to be in accordance to His Word. I figure if it wasn't God and just me 'counseling myself', atleast it gives me some peace of mind and sets me back on the right track.

Perhaps, if some of you haven't, maybe take some time to write God's response to your prayers, but discern if it is in accordance to His Word. Maybe it will provide you with some insight.
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This is great godly wisdom, many person never think of being quiet and letting God speak to them. Keep listening to God, and He will speak to your heart. Remember that God will speak to you in a still quiet voice I King 19:41-42.
 
Beloved57 said:
This is great godly wisdom, many person never think of being quiet and letting God speak to them. Keep listening to God, and He will speak to your heart. Remember that God will speak to you in a still quiet voice I King 19:41-42.
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Thank you for your reply Beloved :)

You are very right, God will speak to us in a still quiet voice. I also think this all has to do with the society that we are living in, everything is go go go, and for the majority of western society, individualistic. I think there is a call back to contemplation, stillness and listening. I am seeing more books on contemplative prayer (even used in youth groups) and the works of Thomas Merton. God is trying to say something to us.
 
That's a good way to practice the "Be still & know that I am God" verse. (Besides waiting for His answer and His timing) being still.. meditating in His word.. seeking answer from Him through His Word.. But yea, as you said, you need to be careful to check if what we are hearing/thinking is truly God speaking to our hearts. It's not always easy to distinguish it, but if we stand firm on His Word we are able to hear Him speak to us. :) I myself, have experienced God speaking to my heart many times too. And trust me, for those who are truly seeking Him in their hearts, He does make Himself heard and understood.
 
Who are we to say that God needs to to be given room to speak? If anything, we should thank God for the room we have to speak to Him with our silence and awe.
 
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