In my last post I talked about the importance of praising God in advance, that by doing so we put our faith in action acknowledging who He is and trusting that He will fulfill His promises to us. Sometimes that’s easier said than done because we think that God’s not moving fast enough or in the way that we think He should. Or maybe we simply fail to believe that He will do whatever it is… for us. Other times we may see Him moving in someone else’s life and try to compare ourselves to that person to see if we “measure up.” But the question is not, “Will He?” or “Can He?” The question is “Have I slowed down enough or sat still long enough to hear from Him?”
Ever since I was a child, God has spoken to me in a still, quiet voice in the middle of the night or wee hours of the morning. Most often it was through dreams. I’ve never woken up and remembered a dream unless there was some spiritual significance. When I was a very small child I would wake up crying, unable to fully explain what I’d seen to my parents. I am so thankful that they began teaching how to pray at a deeper level, to wage war against the enemy, and to stomp on his head declaring victory in Jesus’ name. They taught me early on that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16b).
Sometimes I forget that prayer is a two-way street and I end up getting upset when things are not going the way I’d like them. Yet I haven’t taken the time to be still and listen for God’s voice. During the month of February I participated in the Daniel Fast for 21 days with some of my squad mates. We had one thing we were believing God for collectively, but I also had a two personal things that I laid before the throne. Literally from day 1 I saw God working in one of the areas, physical health. I shed 10lbs, had more energy, and grew stronger. Regarding the collective goal for the mission work, it took a little longer for me to see a shift. At the beginning of the 2nd week of the fast I realized that I had been trying to do things through my own effort rather than allowing God to take the lead. Once I gave it to Him, friends began to come alongside me to pray for the people that will be reached through the race, that their lives will be radically transformed. The last area was more private, something just between God and me. I found that I was most diligent in praying about that area, and that sometimes it consumed my thoughts throughout the day. I grew frustrated because I wanted God to write the answer on the wall as clear as day like He’d done in Daniel 5. I wanted it to be an easy yes or no. It was not until I remembered the scripture, “When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else I’ll be sure you won’t be disappointed” (Jeremiah 29:13 MSG) that I realized that overall I had been seeking answers/results more than a deeper relationship with Christ. So toward the end of week 2 I became more intentional about getting into the Word and being quiet before Him so that He could reveal Himself to me rather just wanting the things He could give.
Oh, what a difference that made! He gave me a dream that initially was quite scary. But as He interpreted it for me I gained so much clarity about my life as a whole, and the start of an answer to the private fast area. I was so happy! I couldn’t help but imagine how much greater, stronger, and loving the bride of Christ would be if we were intentional about the things of God at all times.
God tends to speak to me in a still, quiet voice in the middle of the night through dreams or an audible voice. I would not know that if I didn’t take the time to shut out the hustle and bustle of the world around me. How does God speak to you? The bible? Music? Nature? Dreams? Something else? Have you forgotten His voice or lost touch with Him? If you’re unsure, I encourage you to look back over your life to remember the times that you felt closest to Him. What was going on circumstantially? Was there something specific that you did to welcome Him into your day? Could it be that you were surrounded by other people that helped draw you closer to Him? Once you have that thing, ask God to renew that passion or to help you find a new way of communing with Him. I promise that once you find it, and walk in it consistently, your life will be transformed.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” –Jeremiah 33:3
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” –Matthew 6:6
