This is an interesting question because we usually judge whether or not someone is listening by the response we receive from that individual.
If we wonder if God is listening, we’re likely looking for a response of some sort from God. We could get into trouble here if there is a particular outcome that we desire. If that outcome or result doesn’t appear or occur the assumption is that God isn’t listening.
When you think about it, often our requests to God are pleas for outcomes that we think are beyond our reach or influence to obtain or produce.
We ask God when the thing we long for seems impossibly out of reach.
Maybe we’d like a new job – one that’s fun, challenging, and high paying with great benefits and perfect hours. So what mindset are we asking from?
Are we asking from a perspective that such a job doesn’t exist? Perhaps we feel it might but there’s no way we’d be considered.
Do you see the problem? We’re wanting proof that God is listening by the results we receive and we’re not even believing what we’re asking for is possible. We’re all blocked up. Our receptors are clogged!
We can’t receive because we don’t believe.
The solution? Don’t ask for the impossible – or what you THINK is impossible.
James 1:5-7
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.(KJV)
Matthew 7:7
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (KJV)
Ask for something that you actually believe you can receive.
Ask for a cup of coffee. (Don’t like coffee? Pick something equivalent!)
I’m serious. Do you doubt that God can cause you to receive a cup of coffee? From somewhere unexpected?
A relationship with God has to start somewhere and sometimes we have to prove to ourselves that God is listening and responding.
So ask for that cup of coffee and don’t think about how it may be delivered or by whom. Let go of all attachments as to where it comes from.
You will soon be enjoying a great cup of coffee.
I have done this. When the coffee came I almost forgot that I had asked for it. Moral of the story? Pay attention!
God is listening – I can tell you that – but I want you to know it for yourself and only you can prove it to yourself.
Go ask for that coffee.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
robert, I like when you say pay attention, I’ve learned this, because it unfolds every thing around us and how everything entangles together and the rippling effect takes proccess right in front of our eyes if we pay attention. I think thats how god communicates with us. I also feel that when we want to communicate with god is in distress times and I think god needs us to be still and be patient for his purpose instead of our purpose in our own desires in the flesh, the quick fix. I think most people if not all dislike the discomfort of the fear responce that we all have and want the pain to go away fast, but theirs lots to learn during that time of fear and loss of our contol of how thing should be according to us I call this a time for growth. the only time I really feel god is when I meditate, I free my mind of everything I mean everything, to where I feel peace with in my spirit and sit with that feeling and its very loving and pleasant, and again I listen and pay attention.
thanks and god bless gene
I think you are missing your own point. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. To be heard of God requires faith that He hears. If I have not that faith or waiver in that faith, what then?
Tim,
All the faith that God hears, or no faith that God hears – has no impact on whether or not God hears.
Your level of faith will impact you, and whatever you do or don’t attempt to communicate to God.
If you have absolutely zero faith, then it is likely that you’ll not ask anything of God.
But there is another consideration.
I believe that we all make requests to God, who I see as the Infinite Source of all things. Those requests are limited by what we believe we can receive, and are worthy of.
At that level you do have some sort of faith even if it is a negative, detrimental type of belief – a sort that doesn’t really serve us so well.
Bottom line is this: We’re always asking and receiving. Faith is the limiting factor.
This may be difficult to understand from within the Christian paradigm, but I hope it makes a little bit of sense. Religion does not explain these ideas very well, because they are not understood. That’s just my experience.
Blessings,
Robert
My son is 5 years old and very curious and a little sceptically about god especially since he can’t see him. he was having nightmares and getting in trouble at school and really upset with himself. He knew he was doing wrong but he just couldn’t help himself. One night before bed I said Thomas we are going to pray to god I want you to believe that he is listening and will help you and if it doesn’t work we will do it over and over till you hear him and he helps you. We prayed Dear God thank you for everything you have given us today good and bad, please keep us safe from harm and help me to learn to be kind and listen to my heart when I’m unsure. Please help us dream of good things and Not of bad Amen!
The next morning he was ecstatic he didn’t have any bad dreams god kept them out of my head he said. I told him before I dropped him off if your unsure ask god if your uneasy that’s him saying no. That afternoon I picked him up from school and he came running out smiling and screaming god made me good! I prayed and I was good and didn’t have to sit at the bad table! I prayed and it worked!! thank you for sharing god with me momma. There were about 150 people standing around and I’m sure if they were listening they heard god loud and clear.
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