March 2026 Volume1/Issue 2
Lately, my prayer journal has been filled with requests and petitions for direction. In a season where there have been many changes, victories, disappointments, and moving parts, I have found my self asking God to help me hear in Him in the midst of it all.
I am so thankful that we are invited to do exactly that… ask.
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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
What is even more wonderful than the invitation to ask, is His promise to hear and answer.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
Jesus said that His sheep listen to His voice and He knows them. This is relationship language. When we couple this with the Apostle Paul’s passion for knowing Christ, we are left with the truth that our faith is not one of rites, rituals, and legalism, but it is one that is conversational, relational, and intimate.
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11
I can’t encourage you enough to spend time learning God’s voice. Yes, learning it. You can. It comes from three main things: Communication, Proximity, and Time.
Communication is simply about talking with God. Not just acquiring information. Often this is where we settle for less than what is available to us. We read scripture to learn it, which is necessary and transformative. We listen to sermons to grow in our understanding or to apply truth, with is also necessary. But there is more. If we will approach scripture understanding that it is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) meaning it comes from the breath of His lungs. It is filled with His life. It’s not just information, it is a place where God will speak to you. In the same way, we need to approach our times of prayer as conversation. Speaking and listening. Pay attention to the thoughts and impressions that come as you dialogue with God. Certainly, nothing you feel or hear will violate the unchanging truths laid out in scripture, but He will speak.
Proximity is about intentionality. It begins with the desire to draw close to God knowing that He will draw close to you (James 4:8). This involves humbling ourselves, being willing to repent, be silent, and to wait on Him. Will fill our lives with so much clutter and we rush from one thing to the next. We must learn to be still in our hearts, minds, and bodies (Psalm 46:10). Set a time and place. Learn the spiritual discipline of solitude and silence. See if the voice of God doesn’t become more clear as you do.
Time is a non-negotiable in learning God’s voice. There’s no replacement or quick fix. We must go to the scriptures, places of prayer, and times of worship and remain. Our whole society is oriented around getting things done and moving on to the next thing. We get so much of a dopamine hit from the rushing. But what we miss are eternal encounters that cannot be microwaved. I often say to our local church, “spend time in prayer, stay until it’s uncomfortable and then stay a little longer.” I promise you that as you take the time to listen the more you will begin to hear.
I talk about these principles and practices in my little book, A Conversation with God: a simple guide to prayer journaling. If you would like to dig more into this practice and learn to have conversations with God, I would encourage you to grab a copy. Knowing that God listens and speaks to you brings such confidence and strength in your walk with Him. I’ve needed it, continue to need it, and I am so thankful He has invited me into daily conversations with Him.
Order “A Conversation With God”
Blessings to each and every one of you from Lisa and I. I pray that this season, even if it is a challegning one like mine, is filled with God’s voice and direction. Remember, He wants to talk with you, share His heart with you, and to be close.
Scott J. Hobbs
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