Listening for God's Whisper
OPENING PRAYER:
Gracious God, quiet our hearts to hear Your gentle whisper. May we be attentive to Your voice and open to Your guidance. Amen.
"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."
1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV)
REFLECT:
In the sermon, the pastor encouraged us to create space to hear God's voice, much like Elijah experienced God's presence in a gentle whisper. Our lives are often filled with noise and busyness, making it difficult to hear God's guidance. Mary was able to receive God's message because her life was oriented around Him. Similarly, the pastor shared how his wife, Chris, took time to pray and listen for God's voice during a family crisis. This practice of withdrawing from the chaos to seek God's presence is essential for spiritual growth. By intentionally setting aside time to be still and listen, we open ourselves to God's direction and peace. As we cultivate this discipline, we become more attuned to His voice and better equipped to follow His leading.
APPLY:
Set aside a specific time each day this week to be still and listen for God's voice. Use this time for prayer, reading scripture, and quiet reflection.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for speaking to us in the quiet moments. Help us to prioritize time with You and to listen for Your guidance in our lives. Amen.