In response to the incredible question I received on yesterday’s blog post, I realized this needed more than just a simple reply. It deserved a full post. So, here we are!
Here’s the question that sparked this post: “Hi, I loved your message today. I get stuck whenever someone asks, ‘What is God saying to you?’ I don’t know what my ‘Egypt’ is and I struggle because I don’t feel like I hear His guidance. Can you send me your best advice?”
This hits close to home for many of us, doesn’t it? Sometimes, it feels like we’re talking to a silent God.
Silent God: Know why God does not answer
I’ve walked through some truly dark periods in my life, times so challenging that I felt completely cut off from God’s voice. This struggle, which I dive into in my book Silent God: Know Why God Does Not Answer, was a pivotal moment for me. I grappled with deep disappointment and frustration, feeling as though God’s silence meant He loved me less than others—others who seemed to hear Him so clearly. It brought me to the brink, where I was almost wishing for an end to it all. At that low point, when I felt I could no longer bear the weight of my sadness, I surrendered completely.
In the last three years, my life has been utterly transformed by the grace of being able to hear God every day. If I had to sum up this profound change in one sentence, it would be this: We’ve let distractions pull us away from true communion with God. I want to share with you the four crucial steps I took to cut through the noise and tune in to His voice.
Steps to hearing God
- Surrender: I reached a point where trying to control everything around me had led to complete chaos. Broken and weeping on my floor, I realized the futility of my actions. It was then that I surrendered to the One who made me, acknowledging His sovereignty and admitting my own limitations. This moment of surrender was both humbling and freeing, as I let go of my need to control and opened myself to God’s guidance. Here’s the simple, heartfelt prayer I offered: “God Most High, I give up. I surrender my controlling ways to You. Help me. Amen.”
- Fear: When I first learned to truly fear God—not as terror, but as profound awe and reverence—it opened up a whole new dimension in my relationship with Him. This isn’t just about being scared; it’s about recognizing His holiness and approaching Him with the respect He deserves. Embracing this type of fear was a revelation that significantly deepened my worship and brought me closer to God. Scripture is rich with promises for those who fear the Lord: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10), “The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them” (Psalm 25:14), and beautifully, “The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 147:11). This profound reverence is what drew me closer to Him, feeling truly treasured by God. My prayer became a reflection of this discovery: “Lord, teach me how to fear You in reverence and awe. I want to be as close to You as a friend. Amen.”
- Distractions. The path to truly hearing God requires removing the clutter that fills our lives. It’s not just about silencing our phones or stepping away from social media—it’s about examining our daily habits, our commitments to family and church, and any other good activities that may inadvertently take precedence over our time with God. These can all serve as distractions that prevent us from focusing fully on Him. I prayed for clarity and determination to make God my priority: “Lord, show me my distractions. I need Your help to remove whatever keeps me from focusing on You. Make it clear what needs to change so I can dedicate my full attention to Your voice. Amen.”
- Daily Habit: Consistency in our relationship with God is crucial to hearing God’s voice every day. Each day, my journey begins with a prayer whispered before I even step out of bed. To ensure my focus remains on God, I consciously avoid starting my day with news or social media, as these can cloud my thoughts and distract me from His presence. Instead, I immerse myself in the Word or listen to worship music while preparing for the day. At night, the comforting words of Psalms 23 help me to unwind and reflect on God’s faithfulness right before I close my eyes. Here’s a simple yet profound prayer to guide this practice: “Lord, help me to desire You above all each day. Create in me an excitement for our conversations and the insights from Your Word. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, who teaches and walks with me every step of this journey. I look forward to growing closer to You every day. Amen.”
The Only Way to Hear God’s Voice Every Day
The only way to truly connect with God is through Jesus. By accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you open the channel to hear God’s voice in your life. I assure you, if you commit to these four practices, your spiritual hearing will transform. You’ll begin to naturally despise what displeases God and love what He loves. Your focus will shift towards what pleases Him. Even your prayers will change, becoming more aligned with His will. And the excitement of talking to Him? It will grow each day because of the close bond you’re developing. I eagerly look forward to my daily meetings with God—there’s absolutely nothing like it.
Shalom!