When you pray, you have to quiet your mind to hear God clearly. Sometimes, our thoughts wander away from God. It can be hard to focus because our minds are constantly racing.
We might be wondering about things we need to do for the day, or we might be worried about something that’s happening in our lives.
We can try our best to quiet our minds but that can be easier said than done!
Ways To Quiet Your Mind To Hear God
Learn To Be Still
Being still does not just mean we are not physically moving. It means that we are not making any moves. You see the difference?
It’s more about our mind being still.
It is in this stillness that we can find peace as we are waiting to hear from God for instruction or guidance.
We are putting our trust in Him, knowing that the outcome will be to our benefit and according to His will.
Be still, and know that I am God.
Quiet Your Mind
There are many ways to quiet our minds. One way is to focus on our breathing or to meditate.
When we meditate, we learn how to quiet our thoughts .
Our minds become calm and peaceful. This type of exercise helps focus on one thing at a time, allowing you to clear your mind and hear God more clearly.
If you struggle with hearing God’s voice, there are several things you can do to help you quiet your mind.
When we think too much, our minds become agitated. Our thoughts keep us busy, and we lose track of what really matters.
- Make yourself comfortable. Nothing worse than being fidgety because you are uncomfortable.
- Close your eyes and take slow deep breaths.
- Avoid distractions. Turn off your phone and computer.
- Focus on one thing at a time. Don’t multitask.
- Think about what you would like to say to God.
- Control our thoughts. How many times have we been in prayer and we think about our to-do list? I’m guilty!
Hearing God’s Voice
So you learned to be still and quiet your mind. Now we need to hear what God is saying to us.
In the beginning of my Christian walk I was amazed when I heard people say that “God told them…”
I always wondered why God would only speak to them and leave me out of the conversation.
As I grew in my relationship with God I understood that it’s not just an audible voice but there are various ways we can hear God’s voice.
He speaks in a whisper
When the Lord appeared to Elijah, He came as a gentle whisper despite the wind, earthquake and fire.
There may be a lot going on around you but if you are still enough and quiet your mind you will be able to hear him.
The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
He speaks through people
Peter is very clear when he mentions hearing a word from a prophet. It is not through the person’s own ability but through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
God will use anyone to say something that only we will know the significance of what is being said.
That person may not even realize what they are saying is a message to you from God.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
He speaks through the Bible
The Lord speaks to us through His Word. The bible has everything we need in order to live a godly life.
I suggest getting a bible dictionary, concordance and a bible commentary. Each one will help you navigate through the bible and find the answers you are looking for.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Reflecting and Testing
Once you hear from God you might be asking yourself, now what. Well, you want to reflect on the word that was given to you.
You want to make sure that what you heard was of God and not your own thoughts or the enemy trying to squirm his way in your head.
The bible is very clear about the need to test the spirits. It’s not the type of testing that comes from doubting God or lack of faith.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Ask yourself if what you heard is aligned with scripture. You will never receive anything from God that is not written in the bible.
Applying God’s Word To Your Life
After we receive our confirmation we must apply what we have heard to our lives.
Any answer that we receive from God is for our good; whether we like what we hear or not.
It’s so important to get to a place where we commit to be doers of the word.
Allowing ourselves to be counseled by Our Heavenly Father so that He can be glorified through our lives. And we can live a life of abundance through Christ.
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
I wear many hats; Wife, Mom, Minister, Blogger and Entrepreneur.
It’s not easy juggling everything but with the Grace of God, I can do all things!
My plate is full but my cup runneth over!!
