God is constantly speaking to people. But too often, they miss out on hearing God’s messages because they only seek His guidance occasionally – usually in a crisis or for a major decision. We are constantly bombarded with noises telling us very different messages, and too often we find ourselves confused about what to do. These are times when we should seek God’s guidance through listening prayer.

According to Jesus, we are his sheep, the flock of his pasture. John 10:3-4 says that, as Jesus’ sheep, we should be able to listen to His voice and follow Him because we clearly recognize His voice.

Come to God with your request for guidance and wait silently for God to speak to you. It may not be immediate; it may take time. Impressions on our spirit will come from one of four sources: (1) your own mind; (2) the mind of others); (3) the mind of Satan; and (4) the mind of God. God has given us authority in Christ to silence the other sources and clear the way to hear God’s voice and be confident that it is God speaking.

How do you know it is God speaking to you? As yourself these questions: 1) Is it in line with Scripture? 2) Is your heart open to God’s answer? 3) Is it confirmed through Godly counsel and other people? 4) Is it confirmed through other circumstances in your life? And 5) Will it require you to trust God?

Recognize that God communicates with you in many forms. You may sometimes hear God’s message in dramatic ways, such as through angels, visions, or miraculous events. But much more often, it is through less obvious ways. You may hear God speaking through your thoughts, or it may be through other people whom He places in your life, or even through a book or movie.

A few months ago, I was asking God for guidance with a certain situation, and I waited a long time to hear from Him. Then He sent a new Christian friend into my life who said just the right thing, and I recognized clearly that it was the word of God brought to me by another person.

But you must be open to hear His voice. Too many times, we are obsessed with “fixing things,” as if we can do everything on our own. You will never hear God’s guidance this way. We must surrender and become totally open to God’s will and what He says.

Pursuing God is essential to hearing His voice. God tells us very clearly in the Bible that the more we seek Him, the more we are going to experience His presence in our lives. The presence of the Holy Spirit in your life changes everything about hearing God’s voice. He lives within you and is always ready to guide you. It is up to you to hear His voice.

God bless you!

Elizabeth