Hearing God (Part I): Daily Prayer

How do you actually begin hearing the voice of God in your life?

This is something I have been chatting about on Instagram as of late, but I want to dive into it more deeply with you here. I also have an exclusive surprise for you below that I won’t be sharing on Instagram as quickly… but first, on hearing God.

Hearing the voice of God is no longer reserved for the prophets of the Old Testament. This is the wonder of Christ’s Incarnation, of the New Covenant, that you and I have received the very Spirit of God and been baptized into the person of Christ. The Lord himself prophecies over us, “your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:20-21).

So why don’t we hear Him more often? Or, how do we begin to hear His voice in our hearts, directing our lives to the left and to the right, as He says in Isaiah?

Whether you’ve had a consistent prayer life for 20+ years, are just beginning to pray daily, or are somewhere between, I know of three “exercises” that will enhance our prayer lives, our hearing the voice of God in our lives. Let’s explore one each week over these next three weeks – a mini series on prayer.

The first is DAILY PRAYER.

You might experience a visceral reaction to these two words because you’re already stretched thin, over-extended, and feel anxious at the thought of how you will find time to pray daily. Or maybe when you see this, there is a feeling of shame because you aren’t praying more, or feel it is your “fault” that you don’t have more intimacy with God. Or perhaps you are in the camp of already praying daily, and then this can serve as an edification towards this habit and commitment you are already practicing.

Daily prayer does not mean a daily Holy Hour. Daily prayer does not mean extensive time and devotions every day. I remember my Spiritual Director telling me after I left Carmel, as I was navigating the transition from a contemplative, cloistered life into a life where prayer was no longer the focus of my day but no less necessary; where I had work, school, a social life, etc. and was now trying to find time to pray, to integrate it into daily life in some way. And maybe you have even more responsibilities, children, ministries or work that requires much of your time and self-sacrifice. Fr. Justin Brady reminded me in that season of the importance of showing up and the love with which I approached that time. He told me that the value of my prayer was not in the length or how satisfied I felt with it, but that what mattered most was showing up, and even if all I could give was 15 minutes that I simply pour out my little alabaster jar of love in those 15 minutes.

To begin praying, in continuing our daily prayer, or if you are beginning again, start small. It doesn’t have to look grand, it doesn’t have to look extravagant. Begin by beginning. And then stay consistent. If you can, pick a time in the morning before anyone else is awake, before you rush off to the gym, or to work. Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier if you need to, sacrifice a few minutes in bed. Show up at that same time, and don’t give it up. If you miss a day, know that the hardest feeling can be just starting again. Know that any feelings of shame are not from God, and that the Lord is not put-off by you not coming one day, or many days, though He misses you. Know that He would rather you come to be with Him and know His love than stay away out of shame for not coming more often. He is merciful, tender, and longs to simply be with you. 

Know that the Lord loves you, that He made you in love just to share the fullness of His life and love with you. Don’t be afraid to approach so gentle, so loving a Father, Love, and Friend.