Listening Prayer Practice
In a world inundated with noise vying for your attention, it no longer is a matter of whether or not you're listening, but whose voice you're listening to. Voices have the power to define identities, shape worldviews, influence action, attribute meaning. Attention is a commodity in a world of noise, and who better to recognize, turn to, and seek other than God?
To become familiar with someone’s voice is to become familiar with the person the voice is attached to. When you keep giving your curious attention to God, the broader your understanding of him becomes until you start noticing and recognizing God everywhere. Get curious about God’s Word, God made visible through the person of Jesus in the Gospels, God’s Spirit in you and in others, God in creation!
Psalm 46 says, "Be still, and know that I am God!" In this psalm are pauses known as "interludes," which means to stop and listen, or to pause in the presence of the Lord. These are helpful reminders of the prayerful rhythms God invites people into - moments to be still and know, and pause in the presence of God. Read Psalm 46 or any other Scripture God brings to mind to start your listening prayer practice.
A listening prayer practice is quite simple, but deeply relational. Start with three minutes, and work your way up as you find yourself listening to God throughout the day. Find a calm space, silence your phone, move into a comfortable position, and take a few deep breaths. Each minute of movement will be called an interlude as a habitual rhythm to stop, listen, and pause in his presence.
First Interlude: Begin by centering yourself with a prayer of gratitude, acknowledging who he is and indicating an intentional pause. This helps you into a posture of receiving from God, ready to listen. “God, I notice and receive…”
Second Interlude: Now that you are present with God, transition to an openly curious posture, asking, "God, what do you want me to know about you?”
Third Interlude: Continue to remain quietly in his presence. "God, how are you catching my attention?”
As you practice patient listening, may you realize that you are the meeting place of God. As you meet with God, may you continue to cultivate intimate moments of abiding in his presence. As you abide in His presence, may you come to know and love his Voice - the one that sounds like both love and truth.