How Do You Truly Listen To God?

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

Okay so when I pray, I feel like I'm the one doing all the talking instead of listening to what God has to say. I'm not gunna lie, it's REALLY hard listening because everytime I try to listen my thoughts get caught up in the whole thing and I get my thoughts confused with God's words. It's confusing, challenging, and just plain hard to listen. How do any of you know that you have heard what God says to you? What are some seriously silent prayer techniques that y'all do? I don't want to block out God with my own thoughts and words if that makes sense. I know that everyone prays differently and everyone's experience is different, but I just want different people's opinions and advice.

Thank you!!

[BarbTherese]

The way I listen to God is through the various ways He can 'speak' to one. My circumstances, something that strikes me when I read, something I see or experience, a homily, something someone says that strikes me etc. etc. I 'listen to life' which is God's Ongoing Gift in The Holy Spirit. But then my spirituality is very much formed on Divine Providence - that all that is is from or through the Hand of The Lord.
When I am at prayer, I am with He Who Is Silence and never actually listen to hear God speak to me in words, which is a locution and to my way of thinking probably more in the domain of the mystics. My experience is that as I have grown accustomed to Silence in prayer, distractions are very few, although there can be times when there are many distractions. If I am distracted at prayer I may speak to The Lord in my own words, or even use rote prayers or a book of prayers I have compiled. I may pray the Jesus Prayer. I may refer to The Gospel of the day and meditate on it. I go with the flow and pray as I can not as I can not. Sometimes these various forms of praying lead to Silence, sometimes not.
The Profound Silence of prayer (which is a listening experience) can be all enveloping and rich with Presence and sometimes feelings of great Peace and Joy so that time just flies and even consciousness of being at prayer ceases (which is not loss of consciousness per se)........sometimes. Such consolations can vary in intensity, or be absent altogether. I think it was in The Cloud of Unknowing that the unknown author advocates - to seek always The God of Consolation and not the consolations of God. This made a really profound impression on me in my mid teens. Prayer is quality time with The Lord - and howsoever He cares to communicate Himself or to withhold any awareness or sense perceptions, consolations, during prayer. No matter one's awareness or lack of it while at prayer, nothing can take away from the knowledge (Faith) that one is totally priviledged to be in the Presence of God simply by putting oneself in His Presence during prayer - and an amazing matter. This is our God and Lord who fashioned and created the universe and all in it, and our own being. Our Divine Lord who became fully human in every way like us and born as a vulnerable baby and then lived and died His entire human life for us, though it cost Him a shocking human price. And I can be in His Divine Presence just by putting myself there. Stunning!

I must confess that those who hear God speak to them in prayer is absent in my own prayer, which does not invalidate the prayer of others.

Edited May 13, 2012 by BarbaraTherese

[AccountDeleted]

[quote name='LinaSt.Cecilia2772' timestamp='1336883687' post='2430162']
Okay so when I pray, I feel like I'm the one doing all the talking instead of listening to what God has to say. I'm not gunna lie, it's REALLY hard listening because everytime I try to listen my thoughts get caught up in the whole thing and I get my thoughts confused with God's words. It's confusing, challenging, and just plain hard to listen. How do any of you know that you have heard what God says to you? What are some seriously silent prayer techniques that y'all do? I don't want to block out God with my own thoughts and words if that makes sense. I know that everyone prays differently and everyone's experience is different, but I just want different people's opinions and advice.

Thank you!!
[/quote]

How do you talk to a dear friend? Say something then listen for the response. Let your heart guide your words and your listening. You can do all kinds of techniques but then you get expert at all kinds of techniques. He is your dearest and closest friend and He wants to speak with you - to your heart. Let your thoughts be about Him, your words to Him, your feelings about Him. You can't devote yourself to this world and then expect Him to wait like a faithful dog to do your bidding at your command. Even though He wants to reach you, you have to prepare the way for Him. Keep your heart and mind focused on Him as much as possible during the day, eager to return to Him when you can, then spend time alone with Him and enjoy the companionable silence of dear lovers in each others company. Sit longer than you think think you can sometimes, because you know He is there even if you aren't fully aware of His presence yet. Let the thunder and the lightning die down, and the winds blow away until nothing is left except the gentle breeze of His love giving you life. He is closer even than your own breath. Let Him teach you how to pray.

[Spem in alium]

A lot of the time I struggle to hear God. But He does reveal himself, all the time. We just need to look and listen. To be patient and let Him lead and fill us with hope and love.

I feel closest to God when I am in Adoration and when I am in nature. I do experience His presence in other environments, but these are the times when I feel a distinct relationship.

The silence in Adoration brings me to peace. I've experienced some of the greatest emotions while spending time before the Lord. For the longest time I never went to Adoration because I didn't know how to pray. I felt lost, like I was doing nothing. But one day I just went and sat before the Blessed Sacrament for a while. Rather than trying to speak to God, I let Him speak to me. And now the time I spend in Adoration is a highlight of my week

For me, God resides in nature. He is in the wind, in the trees, in storms, in sunny days. He is in animals and people. Many a time I'm in nature I'm filled with a tremendous sense of awe, and I believe that feeling comes straight from God. He shows us his true power as Creator. Too often we take nature's beauty for granted, but we can experience the Lord there if we take the time to stop and ponder the mystery and wonder of Creation.

Most of the time I pray in silence - at home or in church, by myself or discreetly in public. I do pray the Rosary with a group from time to time, but I find that while group prayer does guide me tremendously, I feel very enriched by silent devotion. Reading spiritual exercises or books is very beneficial, and writing prayers or spiritual thoughts proves helpful too. I guess it just comes down to personal preference, but it's important to always listen and look for God's presence in your life and in your heart. That, I believe, is the surest way to hear Him speak to you.

[cappie]

Do you want to hear God's voice? If you do, it's possible you're hearing Him already, for He may be the one giving you the longing to hear Him.

When you want to have a conversation with someone, how do you begin? Do you stand in front of the person and hope they will talk to you? That might work, if the other person is outgoing enough, but usually we begin a conversation by opening our own mouths and talking, engaging the other person's attention. It's the same with God! He loves to hear us talk to Him, and it's in those moments that we prepare ourselves to hear the voice of God. Prayer is like saying, "Hello, God, it's me. I believe You created me and that You know way more about how I should live my life than I do. I'd like to get to know You better. Here's what's going on in my life, and I'd sure like Your thoughts on how to handle it. Would You please speak to me about this today?"

In an ordinary conversation, we speak, then listen for the response of the other person. It's the same with God! Once we've prepared our hearts to listen through prayer, we're more likely to hear the voice of God. Does He speak to us through an audible voice? Some claim He does, but usually that's not the case. We may not actually "hear" the voice of God, but He speaks to us in many ways. Here are some of them: God speaks through His Word God speaks through our thoughts God speaks through conversations with others God speaks through circumstances

In the book of Revelation, we read: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20). God will never force you to obey Him, but waits for your willing response to His call.

So how do I know that God is speaking to me?

Everything that God says will agree with His written Word. He will never tell you to sin or go against a teaching in His Word. This simple test can clarify many "messages." We must, however, be careful not to read the written Word with any preconceived ideas of what it is saying.


God has placed people in our lives to help us to hear His voice. These people may include pastors, teachers, parents, and good friends. In most cases, they will confirm the voice of God to you and help you to see His plan. This is not to say that you should rely on them solely. These people are human and can have their own feelings and fears distort their objectivity. However, they can be a very valuable source of confirmation when you are uncertain of God's voice.

Thirdly is the confirmation through circumstances. Christians can carefully studying their situation for indications of God's will. Come to God with a humble attitude and pray for God to reveal His will and carefully watch the circumstances that relate to that decision.
God wants you to hear His voice and He will reveal it to you.

Finally, if you expect Him to speak and you are listening for it, He will speak to you regularly.

[LouisvilleFan]

In my experience, it takes a good two hours for the barrage of distracting thoughts to finally slow down enough to where you have a somewhat clear mind for hearing God... and it's quite an experience when you get there. Of course, if given six hours or a full day/week/month of silence, I'm sure it's all the more profound.

As for ridding your mind of distractions, I think praying a Rosary or a Psalm can be helpful at easing you into focus, or writing a prayer (in order to engage more of your senses) and from there perhaps pray a verse of Scripture or some other short, simple prayer... the name of "Jesus" or "My Jesus, I trust in you." It's difficult, but nothing worthwhile comes easy.

St. Francis de Sales "Finding God's Will For You" is a reliable classic on testing what you think God is saying to give you more confidence it is God's voice. Is it obedient to Church law? Do you have inner peace about it? Has it been consistent through over a period of time? Does it suit your God-given gifts and talents? Are wise pastoral friends in agreement?

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

[quote name='Spem in alium' timestamp='1336896823' post='2430187']
A lot of the time I struggle to hear God. But He does reveal himself, all the time. We just need to look and listen. To be patient and let Him lead and fill us with hope and love.

I feel closest to God when I am in Adoration and when I am in nature. I do experience His presence in other environments, but these are the times when I feel a distinct relationship.

The silence in Adoration brings me to peace. I've experienced some of the greatest emotions while spending time before the Lord. For the longest time I never went to Adoration because I didn't know how to pray. I felt lost, like I was doing nothing. But one day I just went and sat before the Blessed Sacrament for a while. Rather than trying to speak to God, I let Him speak to me. And now the time I spend in Adoration is a highlight of my week

For me, God resides in nature. He is in the wind, in the trees, in storms, in sunny days. He is in animals and people. Many a time I'm in nature I'm filled with a tremendous sense of awe, and I believe that feeling comes straight from God. He shows us his true power as Creator. Too often we take nature's beauty for granted, but we can experience the Lord there if we take the time to stop and ponder the mystery and wonder of Creation.

Most of the time I pray in silence - at home or in church, by myself or discreetly in public. I do pray the Rosary with a group from time to time, but I find that while group prayer does guide me tremendously, I feel very enriched by silent devotion. Reading spiritual exercises or books is very beneficial, and writing prayers or spiritual thoughts proves helpful too. I guess it just comes down to personal preference, but it's important to always listen and look for God's presence in your life and in your heart. That, I believe, is the surest way to hear Him speak to you.
[/quote]

You like have a telepathic scope to my brain or something because really that's how I feel about being with God. I love being in nature because I feel like that's where I feel Him the most. It's not necessarily the place where I listen to Him, but feel Him there if that makes sense. I might be listening to Him there, but I honestly don't know if I am or not. Adoration is one of my favorite things too. I guess I like being In the presence of Christ, but I don't know if I am truly listening to Him while I'm in His presence.

[BarbTherese]

I dont know if this article will help you, I hope that it will, probably perhaps not all of it but hopefully some of it:

[url="http://www.catholicity.com/commentary/macfarlane/givinggod20.html"]http://www.catholicity.com/commentary/macfarlane/givinggod20.html[/url]

Excerpt from the above link:
THE KING OF SILENCE
For our purposes, let us define contemplative prayer as time spent listening to God in silence. The key is [b]your[/b] silence. Stay quiet. Don't say a word. If you're from New Jersey, like me, just shut up. "Contemplative" prayer ceases to be intimidating if you regard it as [b]sharing silence[/b] with God.
Jesus Christ, true God and true man, is silent in the most profound manifestation of His real presence on earth, the Eucharist. You are concretely setting out to imitate His silence. He is the King of Silence. You enter his Royal Court through prayer. The door to the court swings open with the touch of a warm, silent breeze. This breeze is the breath of God. Inhale Our Lord and He will exhale you right into your day.
GOD WILL SPEAK TO YOU
Jesus can speak to you by leaving messages on your soul in a similar way that we leave messages on telephone answering machines. Your soul is a supernatural email "in-box." Silent prayer is your way of downloading your messages (grace) from your King. You were [b]designed[/b] by God to do this. The only words you need to tell God before you begin to pray are these: "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."



I particularly liked that last paragraph and the "supernatural email inbox" !

When we listen to someone, we are silent. Listen to He Who Is The Silence.

[Spem in alium]

[quote name='LinaSt.Cecilia2772' timestamp='1336966512' post='2430405']
You like have a telepathic scope to my brain or something because really that's how I feel about being with God. I love being in nature because I feel like that's where I feel Him the most. It's not necessarily the place where I listen to Him, but feel Him there if that makes sense. I might be listening to Him there, but I honestly don't know if I am or not. Adoration is one of my favorite things too. I guess I like being In the presence of Christ, but I don't know if I am truly listening to Him while I'm in His presence.
[/quote]

It's nice to know that someone has a similar experience. Nature's the greatest! Yes, that does makes sense. Sometimes, the best way to listen (or to prepare yourself to listen) is to empty yourself and your mind. Cleanse yourself of distraction, temptation, negative feelings, and just draw your mind to God. I tried it today in Adoration and got some interesting results.

The main thing to remember is to always be patient. We won't always hear God when we ask Him to speak. Actually, God usually communicates with me at times when I least expect it. I think it really comes down to giving Him time and letting Him fill our minds and hearts. The rest just follows naturally.

[MissyP89]

I'm the same way – my own thoughts are endless. Eventually, I started to consider that God gave us the ability to reason and think things through ... He lays on our hearts what we should do, a lot of the time. All we have to do is search for it.

Sometimes, I just ask the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts and my heart as I'm working through a specific issue. Even if I don't come up with an answer right away, I'll at the very least have some good questions to think about over time. It's definitely a process and there are frustrating moments, but I truly believe the act of contemplation is a form of prayer. As long as you truly desire to do God's will, are honest with yourself and obedient to Him, things will start to make more sense.

In short, what I'm trying to say is that you don't always have to push away your thoughts. You never know, the Holy Spirit might be nagging you!

Good luck to you, from one deep thinker to another...

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

Has anyone else struggled with having bad or negative thoughts while praying? Like unintentional ones? Cause everytime I pray this seems to happen, and what helps me is praying the intercessory prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. I just want to know if there's anything else I can do to prevent this from happening so I know that I can listen to Jesus?

[LouisvilleFan]

Yep, that's happened to me before, and St. Michael or simply making a Sign of the Cross proves helpful. I suppose it's one of those spiritual warfare things, or perhaps our minds/imaginations simply aren't eager to embrace discipline. Fortunately, our imagination eventually benefits from the more creative life that discipline and prayer yield.

[BarbTherese]

[sub]What we focus on, become anxious and concerned, psychologically speaking, we tend to give power to, we intensify. And our psychology is part of our human nature. With disturbing thoughts, I find the best way to get rid of the gremlins (notice that I do not give these thoughts a powerful name like "bad thoughts", rather - I weaken any power by using "gremlins"), is to gently ignore them and focus again on prayer, perhaps with a small aspiration : "Jesus, I love You" and refocus the attention. As often as the gremlin pops up, gently push it aside with a small aspiration and keep doing this refocusing and for as long and as often as it may take. It may take time (and never put a timeline on The Lord and His Grace or what type of Grace it MUST be) of gremlins popping up now and then, but I find if I focus on gently and peacefully pushing them aside and praying a small aspiration and refocusing my mind, after a while the gremlins vanish. If they continue to plague me during my whole prayer time, it is a little penance and an annoyance during prayer, nothing more.[/sub]

[sub]Remember that involuntary thoughts (i.e. thoughts we do not choose deliberately) are nothing more than distractions and not at all sinful unless we start to indulge in them. They can have a variety of causes, which probably would take a spiritual director to discern and probably over a period of time if such gremlins just wont give up.[/sub]

[sub]Mortal sin alone - ONLY - can separate us from The Lord ........... nothing else can or will. Venial sin is almost a condition of human nature - not quite, however, because one the beast's favourite weapons is to convince us "oh its only a venial sin". We can and we must detach ourselves from attachments to venial sin - all venial sin. It may take a lifetime and we might never quite reach it - this is all in God's Hands. Pope Benedict has told us that we only have the sins of Church members to fear - ONLY THIS.[/sub]

[sub]Remember too that nothing whatsoever comes to us that it is not from or permitted by the Will of God gently and peacefully leading us to holiness. To grasp our theology of the Direct and Permissive Will of God (see below) can answer many questions and help quieten many fears. Remember too that no matter our failed hopes and dreams, aspirations and desires, even our very highest and most noble, Jesus is [u]always [/u]gently and peacefully leading us to holiness through absolutely EVERYTHING in our life. Indeed, The Glory of God is everywhere, everywhere[/sub][sub]. "Seek after Peace and pursue it" "Be still and know that I am God" ("be still" = e.g. be peaceful and at Peace .....and who or what is more powerful more Loving, more Glorious and Beautiful, than our God........absolutely nothing in this entire creation) are very important Scriptural messages because the action of The Holy Spirit is always one of Peace. Opposition to the workings of The Holy Spirit introduces fears, anxieties and over concerns. We will never ever ever be perfect creatures, nor reach our own aspirations and ideals of holiness - and probably something amiss somewhere if we think that we do or can- or set out an agenda for our particular type of holiness and nothing short of that will do!!! My personal and constant refuge is never in any works of mine alone for their are none. My Joy and Peace is in the Merciful Love of Jesus always leading gently and peacefully towards holiness, fulfilled only in Heaven - and despite my many faults and failings. Rejoice and thank Him often for the Sacrament of Penance!. [/sub]

[sub]Some people can fear and become anxious and disturbed if this..........and/or if that......or if I dont this.......or I dont that.....etc etc....and exactly what that thing that constantly works against the Graces of The Holy Spirit desires to inspire and affirm - so that the heart mind and spirit is constantly in a state of interior disturbance.[/sub]

[sub]We are on the greatest adventure any human being could undertake. It is a mystery journey unfolding in our moments and in our days. A walk with Jesus who is holding us in a Loving Embrace absolutely always and every single last one of us human beings on earth. Only mortal sin can take us from that embrace, and we have to knowingly and deliberately choose mortal sin and carry it out knowing we are rebelling totally against God.[/sub]

[sub]Jesus told us the night before His Passion "My Peace I give to you" - its not will give, shall give or can give. But "GIVE" - we have it already and if its great beauty is defaced, then all we need to do is refind it. A good and holy spiritual director is absolute gold and diamonds, a great treasure, in the spiritual life and our journey. If we can't find one, then we can be totally confident and at Peace that The Lord will undertake to guide and guard our journey to Him.[/sub]

[sub]There are many ways of "Listening to God" not only at prayer time. Prayer Time is a part of our life, but we can constantly listen to God in our lives and thus "pray always" (as Jesus has asked us to do) since nothing comes about that is not through Him or permitted by Him. The circumstances in our life, a book we read, a person we meet, a homily or lecture we hear, nature - The Glory of God is [u]absolutely everywhere[/u].[/sub]

[sub][u]Catholic Theology of the Direct and Permissive Will of God[/u]: [/sub]

[sub]A good article, simple and to the point and not overly lengthy, on the subject: [url="http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2011/06/20/how-can-i-know-the-will-of-god-in-my-life-part-i-of-ii?utm_source=Catholic+Spiritual+Direction+blog&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=95a044d9e4-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN"]http://rcspiritualdi..._EMAIL_CAMPAIGN[/url][/sub]

[sub][u]And covered in the Catholic Catechism here[/u]: [/sub][b]324 [/b]The fact that God permits physical and even moral evil is a mystery that God illuminates by his Son Jesus Christ who died and rose to vanquish evil. Faith gives us the certainty that God would not permit an evil if he did not cause a good to come from that very evil, by ways that we shall fully know only in eternal life.

[b]412 [/b]But [i]why did God not prevent the first man from sinning?[/i] St. Leo the Great responds, "Christ's inexpressible grace gave us blessings better than those the demon's envy had taken away." And St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, "There is nothing to prevent human nature's being raised up to something greater, even after sin; God permits evil in order to draw forth some greater good. Thus St. Paul says, 'Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more'; and the Exsultet sings, 'O happy fault,. . . which gained for us so great a Redeemer!'"

- [b]311 [/b]Angels and men, as intelligent and free creatures, have to journey toward their ultimate destinies by their free choice and preferential love. They can therefore go astray. Indeed, they have sinned. Thus has [i]moral evil[/i], incommensurably more harmful than physical evil, entered the world. God is in no way, directly or indirectly, the cause of moral evil. He permits it, however, because he respects the freedom of his creatures and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it:
For almighty God. . ., because he is supremely good, would never allow any evil whatsoever to exist in his works if he were not so all-powerful and good as to cause good to emerge from evil itself.


Apologies for the terrible long windedness and formatting!

[xTrishaxLynnx]

I don't usually realize what God was "saying" / showing me until I look back on the situations I've prayed about. For years I was frustrated by the fact that I wanted so badly to hear God loud and clear, but would only recognize His hand in things once they had passed. I later realized that all that time I was saying "Everything happens for a reason" and wanting to know that reason BEFORE things happened, or while I was going through something especially trying, I wasn't truly trusting that everything happens for a reason because that would [i]include[/i] when and how His answers and His will are revealed to us.

I do think that it is different for everyone, though, so maybe He's speaking to you, but you're just trying way too hard to connect in a particular way, and as a result inadvertently blocking Him out.

[sub][sup]I hope I've made at least some sense here... It's hard to state clearly what I'm thinking, especially since there are cartoons blasting behind me and distracting me.[/sup][/sub]


[quote name='LinaSt.Cecilia2772' timestamp='1337226872' post='2431571']
Has anyone else struggled with having bad or negative thoughts while praying? Like unintentional ones? Cause everytime I pray this seems to happen, and what helps me is praying the intercessory prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. I just want to know if there's anything else I can do to prevent this from happening so I know that I can listen to Jesus?
[/quote]

This happens to me sometimes. I have chalked it up to the enemy's last-ditch attempt to keep us from God by interrupting our prayers. It used to happen so badly that I'd accidentally rush through my prayers because it was causing me physical pain to continue praying. Once I realized I was rushing it helped to do as you mentioned and pray to St. Michael, and afterwards I would deliberately slow my prayers and make sure I emphasized each thought or word. One of my favorite lines when this begins to happen is "Drink thy poison thyself!" followed by a short prayer to St. Benedict for his intercession. When I used to wear my cord of St. Philomena, which long ago wore through and I have yet to replace it, that and my miraculous medal helped by making me feel a bit more secure physically. I'm glad you brought this up, because it reminded me 1. to replace my cord of St. Philomena, and 2. to look for a medal of St. Benedict.

Prayers for you!

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

[quote name='xTrishaxLynnx' timestamp='1339387460' post='2443364']
I don't usually realize what God was "saying" / showing me until I look back on the situations I've prayed about. For years I was frustrated by the fact that I wanted so badly to hear God loud and clear, but would only recognize His hand in things once they had passed. I later realized that all that time I was saying "Everything happens for a reason" and wanting to know that reason BEFORE things happened, or while I was going through something especially trying, I wasn't truly trusting that everything happens for a reason because that would [i]include[/i] when and how His answers and His will are revealed to us.

I do think that it is different for everyone, though, so maybe He's speaking to you, but you're just trying way too hard to connect in a particular way, and as a result inadvertently blocking Him out.

[sub][sup]I hope I've made at least some sense here... It's hard to state clearly what I'm thinking, especially since there are cartoons blasting behind me and distracting me.[/sup][/sub]




This happens to me sometimes. I have chalked it up to the enemy's last-ditch attempt to keep us from God by interrupting our prayers. It used to happen so badly that I'd accidentally rush through my prayers because it was causing me physical pain to continue praying. Once I realized I was rushing it helped to do as you mentioned and pray to St. Michael, and afterwards I would deliberately slow my prayers and make sure I emphasized each thought or word. One of my favorite lines when this begins to happen is "Drink thy poison thyself!" followed by a short prayer to St. Benedict for his intercession. When I used to wear my cord of St. Philomena, which long ago wore through and I have yet to replace it, that and my miraculous medal helped by making me feel a bit more secure physically. I'm glad you brought this up, because it reminded me 1. to replace my cord of St. Philomena, and 2. to look for a medal of St. Benedict.

Prayers for you!
[/quote]

You are awe.some. What you said makes complete sense. I am the type of person that goes crazy if I don't know what's going on right then and there, and I'm a frequent asker of the question "why?". I want to know why things happen the way they do as they are happening, especially this past year when some truly rough stuff happened and everything was turned upside down. I'm still trying to figure out "why" everything happened the way they did, and by what you are saying, I think that's what's getting in the way.