Don't just pray - listen!

 

"AS I HEAR, I JUDGE."  JOHN 5:30
 
Ever wonder why Jesus never made a single misstep? He tells us: "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does...I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent me" (John 5:19-20,30 NKJV).

Jesus often prayed all night, yet few of His prayers are recorded. Why? Because He didn't just talk to His Father, He took time to listen and get instructions. Jesus prayed on mountaintops and in gardens. He even prayed on the street outside the house where He slept last night. No doubt if He'd had a car, He'd have prayed driving to work. Prayer and listening to God were as natural to Him as breathing; it was the spiritual oxygen He thrived on.

When the Bible says, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), it means we are to stay in touch with God at all times, to be spiritually sensitive and attuned to the still small voice of His Spirit within us. That calls for having an uncluttered mind and heart.

Thank God for the understanding of who we are in Christ, and our authority as believers. But there's more to prayer than coming "boldy unto the throne" (Hebrews 4:16). That kind of prayer is usually about what we want. This kind of prayer is about what God wants! Now, since God designed the plan for your life, don't you think it's wise to get quiet before Him so that He can tell you about it?