7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 

1 PETER 4:7

As Disciples of Jesus we are called to fill the gaps we see in life through prayer.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 

MATTHEW 6:7-8

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.

MATTHEW 6:7-8(MSG) 

LEARNING TO LISTEN

“Prayer is conversing, communicating with God.”

DALLAS WILLARD

PRAYER GOES BOTH WAYS

So Jesus explained himself at length. “I’m telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does. The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.

JOHN 5:19-20

GOD TALKS TOO

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

JOHN 10:27 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 

PSALM 32:8

25 And in the fourth watch of the night[d] he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 

MATTHEW 14:25-28 

FOUR VOICES

1. My voice
2. The enemy’s voice 
3. People’s voices
4. God’s voice

HOW TO DISCERN THE VOICE OF GOD

1. GOD’S WRITTEN WORD

• If you want to become familiar with the voice of God in your life then you MUST become familiar with God’s word.

1. GOD’S SPIRIT

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

JOHN 14:16-17

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

JOHN 16:13 

LOGOS: the written word of God

RHEMA: the specific word of God for you

When you are reading the bible on your own, you are reading Logos, or the sayings of Jesus. At times, you get much more than the mere words. This is when you get the Rhema word. This is like Eureka for the scientist involved in an experiment or discovery. It is not that a Rhema word can come to you only when you are reading the bible. It can come to you as a revelation while driving the car, walking in the garden, or even while sleeping and dreaming. This is like God talking to you directly. This could be the word giving you a direction and peace of mind. A Rhema word brings joy and excitement along with it.

“Just then three men showed up at the house where I was staying, sent from Caesarea to get me. The Spirit told me to go with them, no questions asked. So I went with them

ACTS 11:11

1. GOD’S WISDOM

“You don’t always need to know the mind of God when you know the heart of God.”

1. GOD’S PEACE

 And let the peace from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds

COLOSSIANS 3:15

1. LOWER THE NOISE

“It’s not legalism; it’s love.” 

It [silence] allows us to hear the gentle God whose only Son “shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice above the street noise” (Matt. 12:19). It is this God who tells us that “in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).

DALLAS WILLARD

1. UNMUTE GOD

“When you stop obeying, you put God on mute.”

1. FOLLOW THE SIGNS 

1. OTHER PEOPLE