4 Steps to Hearing the Voice of God

Those who know my father will remember well his laughter ringing through the church sanctuary. But can they discern his mumble over the rhythm of the washing machine? Would they recognize the way his feet pound the floor when he enters a room?

Like my earthly father, my Heavenly Father has certain characteristics that I must know intimately in order to hear Him over the noise of a chaotic world. Many of you have recognized how crucial hearing God is in making right choices. Yet I frequently hear people wondering, “How do I do that?”

Here is a list of ways I have learned to hear Him.

1. Find a secret and quiet place.

Particularly in the beginning stages of knowing God, it is important to remove all distractions and noise. The Bible describes that “he [Jesus] would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (English Standard Version, Luke 5:16). It is in a desolate and deserted place where we can hear the Lord most clearly.

I encourage you to first pray and ask God to speak to you, opening your mind and heart. Then be quiet and listen, feeling after the Spirit. This is waiting on the Lord. Turn on some spiritual music if it helps and have materials ready to write or draw what He says.

2. Remove expectations from your prayer time.

It will take time to discern His voice from your own thoughts and the noise of the world. Don’t expect to hear perfectly at first, and don’t expect Him to say what you want to hear. The more you learn His voice, the more frequently you will hear from Him. John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Keep an openness and sweetness to your spirit, and you will eventually hear God’s thoughts instead of your own.

3. Understand how He speaks.

The Lord is creative. These are just a few ways He has spoken to me over the years:

• The Word of God (words jump out, a verse comes to mind)
• Thoughts (not my own/what I would think, often spontaneous)
• Imagery/Visions
• Impressions (gut feeling)
• Other People (e.g. spiritual leader, mentor, prophecy)

God tends to speak to us in the way we best learn and understand.

4. Let listening become a lifestyle.

The Word instructs us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). This means you go through life with Him. Even if you are not directly talking to God, you can walk with Him throughout the day, dwell on Him, and spend time with Him. Let Him be your everything and you will soon see and hear Him everywhere. Continue to grow and you will hear God during even the most chaotic of circumstances.

Being an active listener of God is imperative in reaching those around us. If you walk in the Spirit, removing any impurities from your heart, the Lord will teach and equip you for your specific calling.