Hearing God through Listening Prayer — Resource List

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Hearing God through Listening Prayer

The Role of Listening Prayer

“Over the last twenty years, I have led believers around the world through an in-depth study of Paul’s journeys to learn from his example and apply these principles in our ministries. Invariably, the primary observation that emerges is that, while Paul had a clear path of ministry and strong discipleship processes, he was led by the Spirit. Paul knew what to do but the Spirit showed him where to do it, with whom, and in whose strength.

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6–10, emphasis added) Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (Col. 1:28–29, emphasis added)

Paul and his team lived the very way Jesus predicted they would: the Spirit Walk. An unpredictable path paved with predictable steps.” Used with permission from Spirit Walk by Steve Smith, 2414 Ventures, 2018

“With new churches/new disciples, we just tell them to pray and ask God how they should apply that week’s story, and then they do. We use the verses in John 10 as the basis for being able to go to Him, listen and then obey.” Robin Smith (no relation to Steve Smith quoted above)

Listening prayer invites God to speak to our hearts and shape our thoughts and plans. As we listen in community, greater clarity often emerges. All that we hear is tested by His Word.

Resources

Below are a variety of resources on growing in hearing God and listening prayer, written for a variety of learning styles.

Hearing God

Spirit Walk by Steve Smith (2018, 24:14 Ventures LLC). Appendix I – Format for a SWAPMeet: Multi-day, Daily, Hourly discusses how to walk through the process of surrendering to the Spirit and hearing God’s voice.