Relationships, by definition, are built on communication. The LORD, through the Prophets of the Old Testament, was continually calling the nation of Israel to “return” to Him. Meaning they obviously had moved away from Him. And the longer they stayed away, the harder it became for them to recall His voice. We who are “in Christ” though we have direct access both to God’s ear and to His voice, if we ignore this relationship, eventually we too will become unable to recall His voice.
Because prayer is such an intimate activity, the more familiar we are with the knowledge of our identity in Christ, the more engaging and beautiful our prayer life will be. I believe that prayer based on the knowledge of our identity in Christ will be prayer that is confident and full of faith because of that knowledge. I also believe that it is the highest pleasure of the Holy Spirit within us to fellowship with the Father and Son because they are one. Therefore, I believe that prayer in its truest form is likened to a married couple engaged in the deepest form of oneness possible through their intimate union. I describe it in this way because the Spirit of God who has joined with our human spirit joins in intimate fellowship with both the Father and the Son when we pray based on the knowledge of our identity in Christ.
But isn’t it true that normally, our real problem is not praying as much as it is about “taking the time” to pray or eliminating distractions that keep us from prayer. So, if we are going to have fellowship with God through prayer and listening, then we’re going to have to take radical measures. But the first thing that must be recognized is that we live in a much faster-paced society than any generation before us. Not only do we live in a society that praises the “multi-tasker,” but also by the dopamine rush of the “ping” on our phones and the 10-second video reel on TikTok. Yet, the good news is that God has already placed within us the motivation we need in order to pray. It is because He has poured His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who lives in us, and the Holy Spirit’s love moves us to fellowship with God. This motivation from God is basked in grace and love. And in His grace is the gift of His love and power to respond to Him in prayer. Therefore, we are literally starving ourselves spiritualty when we fail to commune with God, since He is our source for all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).
When we realize we are suffering due to “spiritual malnutrition,” we will be sure to carve out time for God. And when we do finally create that time and space, we must prepare our hearts to hear from Him by expecting Him to speak. And once we realize our God is eager to communicate with us due to His love for us, we will begin to expect Him. The evangelist, David Diga Hernandez, lists three things that must be silenced if we are to discern God’s voice in prayer: First he says that we must “silence the voice of the enemy.” The voice of the enemy will always distort or reject the Word of God. The enemy by nature is a liar and deceiver. Also, he is the “accuser of the brethren” (Rev 12:10). So, his voice sounds accusatory but also contradictory to God’s revealed truth in scripture. This is one reason we must learn the Bible. Next, he says we must “silence the voice of our flesh/will.” Our flesh/will is our sin-nature. According to Galatians 5:17 “…the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other,” Our flesh and will are always self-centered. They want what they “see and feel” (what is pleasurable), also by nature they are prideful (1 Jn 2:16). Here is a good quote to remember, “It’s hard to hear God’s voice when you’ve already made up your mind as to what He’s going to say.” Lastly, David says “We must silence the voice of the secular/world.” The world is constantly trying to get us to believe that we are “unsatisfied.” It tempts us with many things including wealth, popularity, and praise. John says, “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn 2:15b). The world will never tell you that true success is found through humility. But Jesus will always tell you that blessing comes through humility. So, once we have silenced these voices, we should ask the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts to see if anything needs to be addressed (Ps 139:23-24). And after this, all we have left is the voice of the Spirit. And the voice of the Spirit will never contradict the Word of God or the nature of God. And His voice will always affirm our identity in Christ. We may sense/hear His voice in the scriptures, in our own spirit during prayer, through a friend, a sermon, or a circumstance. For God speaks in many ways, but all these ways will never contradict the things He has written down previously in the Bible.
Finally, there is nothing more beautiful on this planet than communing with God; communing equals relationship. And relationships cannot survive without talking and listening … God is waiting.
Aletheia: Truth in the Darkness 