Some people take to prayer like ducks to water. Others struggle trying to figure out how to pray, to say nothing of the panic of being asked to pray out loud. The easiest place to start is to begin at the beginning. That beginning is in the Garden of Eden. Adam and God conversed together. That’s it. That is prayer. Conversation has two parts. First speaking. Second listening.
“But,” you say, “I try to talk with God, but He never answers me.” Perhaps the problem is we don’t understand how He talks to us. If we attune ourselves to the way God talks to us, we might be amazed at what He is telling us.
Six Keys To Hearing From God In Prayer
1. Varieties of Prayer
Prayer can take many forms:
- A list with a note by each number describing the desired result, lifting these up to God daily.
- Put God in remembrance of His promises (Isaiah 43:26).
- Name each need and then pray in tongues (Romans 8:26-27).
- Read psalms of praise and scripture promises out loud to God.
- Insert your name in scriptures like Ephesians 1:17-23; 2:4-7.
- Make a prayer closet.
- Practice the presence of God 24 hours a day.
2. How God Speaks To Us
God seldom speaks by an audible voice. Through His Word, sermons, chance comments by others, thoughts that arise within us, the variety is endless. To hear we must train ourselves to listen and expect God to be speaking to us and guiding us, and then to test what we hear by the word of God (I John 4:1).
3. If You Want To Enjoy God's Promises, You Must Play By God's Rules
People are always searching the scriptures to find verses they can take out of context in order to justify their choices instead of searching the scriptures to find out God’s will on a subject. Being unwilling to accept God’s written will they even go so far as to say they prayed about it and God didn’t stop them. God never answers when He has already made His will clear in His written word.
You cannot claim God’s promises if you refuse to accept His written will. It is your responsibility to search it out and conform your lifestyle and choices to it—that’s why it was written. God’s will is clear. He expects us to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15 NIV).
4. Always Pray the Will of God
Back up what you are praying with scriptures that prove you have the right and the authority to pray your petitions. Apply God’s promises to your praying knowledgeably. For example, what do the scriptures say about joy (John 10:10; 15:11), or healing (Mal. 4:2; Acts 10:38; John 10:10), or provision (Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6-8; Philippians 4:19)?
Praying with authority means to know who you are and Whose you are. Remember, God has revealed His will in His Word.
5. Pray With Authority
You have been given authority by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is up to you to use it. (Mark 16:15-18; Matt. 28:18-19) (See also The Believer’s Authority by Kenneth E. Hagin; The Authority of the Believer by J. A. MacMillan; and any other writings by reputable authors.) Praying with authority means to know who you are and Whose you are. Remember, God has revealed His will in His Word.
6. For Best Results, Pray the Scriptures
If you don’t know the scriptures well enough to know what God’s will is, grab hold of books that lists all the Promise Scriptures by subject.
Keep Growing In Prayer
It’s our desire that you would keep growing in your ability to hear from God for yourself. Take the time to pray every day and listen in faith. He will respond to you.
