What is a Listening Prayer?
Listening prayer is a spiritual practice that involves taking time to quiet your mind and heart, and simply listening for God’s voice. It can be a powerful tool for gaining wisdom, discernment, and direction in your life. One way to engage in listening prayer is by asking God questions and waiting for His response. In this post, we’ll provide you with 39 questions that you can use as prompts for your listening prayers. Whether you’re new to listening prayer or have been practicing it for a while, these questions can help you deepen your relationship with God and receive His guidance and comfort.
Listening prayer is not about trying to conjure up a voice in your head or hearing audible words. Instead, it is about creating a space of openness and receptivity to God’s presence and leading. As you ask God questions and wait in silence, pay attention to any thoughts, impressions, or feelings that come to you. Sometimes, God’s answers may come in the form of a Scripture verse or a sense of peace and assurance. Other times, His answers may be more subtle or unexpected. The key is to approach listening prayer with an open heart and a willingness to receive whatever God has for you.
Who Invented Listening Prayer?
It’s difficult to pinpoint an exact person who “invented” listening prayer, as it is a practice deeply rooted in the Christian faith and has been practiced in various forms for centuries. However, there are many individuals who have contributed to the development and popularization of listening prayer in modern times, including authors like Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and Henri Nouwen. These individuals have written extensively about the importance of listening to God in prayer and have provided guidance for those seeking to incorporate listening prayer into their spiritual practices.
Bible Examples for Listening Prayer
There are many examples of listening prayer in the Bible. One of the most well-known examples is when Samuel hears God’s voice calling to him in the middle of the night (1 Samuel 3:1-21). Samuel did not recognize the voice at first, but eventually realized that it was God speaking to him. Another example is when Elijah hears God’s voice in a gentle whisper while he was hiding in a cave (1 Kings 19:11-13). Elijah was expecting to hear God in a mighty wind, earthquake or fire, but instead, he heard God in a still small voice.
Jesus also often withdrew to quiet places to pray and listen to the Father (Luke 5:16, Mark 1:35). In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” This indicates that listening to God’s voice is not only possible but also desirable for every Christian.
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of people who sought God’s guidance and direction through prayer and listening to his voice. Listening prayer is not a new concept but has been practiced by faithful believers for thousands of years.
39 Questions to Ask in Your Prayers
- What is your will for my life?
- How can I serve you better?
- What do you want me to do today?
- How can I glorify you in my daily life?
- What are the areas in my life where I need to surrender to you?
- What is holding me back from experiencing your love and grace fully?
- How can I show love to those around me?
- How can I grow in my faith and deepen my relationship with you?
- What areas of my life need healing and restoration?
- What gifts and talents have you given me to use for your kingdom?
- What are your plans for my future?
- How can I overcome the challenges and struggles I am facing?
- What do you want me to learn from the difficult situations in my life?
- How can I trust you more?
- How can I forgive those who have hurt me?
- What do you want me to do about the injustices I see in the world?
- How can I show compassion to those who are suffering?
- How can I use my resources to bless others?
- What do you want me to pray for right now?
- How can I be a better listener and follower of your voice?
- What can I do to surrender control and trust in your plan?
- How can I show humility and grace to others?
- What do you want me to do about the relationships in my life?
- How can I use my time and talents to serve others?
- What do you want me to do about the fears and anxieties I am facing?
- How can I find peace in the midst of chaos?
- What areas of my life need repentance and confession?
- How can I be a better steward of your resources?
- How can I seek your wisdom in making decisions?
- What do you want me to learn from the successes in my life?
- How can I love and serve my enemies?
- How can I show gratitude and thanksgiving in all circumstances?
- What do you want me to do about the temptations I am facing?
- How can I cultivate a heart of worship and praise?
- What do you want me to learn from the disappointments and failures in my life?
- How can I persevere in faith during the trials and hardships of life?
- How can I be a better witness of your love and grace to those around me?
- How can I live a life that brings glory and honor to your name?
- What do you want me to know about your love for me today?
Listening prayer is a practice that can be beneficial for any Christian who desires to deepen their relationship with God and hear His voice. It is not limited to a specific group of people but can be done by anyone who seeks to develop a more intimate and personal connection with God through prayer. Listening prayer can be especially helpful for those who are seeking direction, clarity, or wisdom in their lives, as it provides an opportunity to tune in to God’s voice and receive guidance from Him. Additionally, listening prayer can help individuals grow in their faith and trust in God, as they learn to rely on His voice and guidance in their daily lives.
Listening prayer is a powerful way to connect with God, deepen our relationship with Him, and discern His will for our lives. By asking questions and listening to His response, we can gain wisdom, guidance, and insight from the Lord. These 39 questions are just a starting point, and we encourage you to use them as a guide to develop your own list of questions to ask God during listening prayer. Remember to approach Him with an open heart and mind, and be willing to listen for His still, small voice. As you practice listening prayer, may you experience the joy and peace that come from being in His presence and hearing His voice.
