What does God want me to do?
That’s a question that we often ask ourselves. While complaining that the Lord doesn’t speak to us, we sometimes fail to recognize the fact that He is speaking…it’s just that we’re not listening!
How do we get better at hearing and responding to God’s voice? The readings from today’s Mass hold some important clues. In the First Reading (1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20), Samuel is unaware that the voice he is hearing is actually coming from the Lord. Fortunately, the high priest Eli is able to let Samuel know that God is speaking to him.
LESSON 1: Seek out the advice of a spiritual director or a trusted friend when trying to hear the Lord’s voice in your life.
In today’s Gospel (Mk 1:29-39), after healing Simon’s mother-in-law, Jesus rose early the next morning and “went off to a deserted place, where He prayed”.
LESSON 2: If you want to hear the Lord speaking to you, find a quiet place (even if only for a few minutes) and pray. If it was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for us. According to St. Cyprian of Carthage, “If He who is without sin prayed, how much more ought sinners to pray?”
Once we have determined that the Lord is speaking to us (and possibly calling us to do something), there is one more thing that we should do. While it is important that we learn to identify God’s voice, it is more important that we obey His commands. A great piece of advice can be found in today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 40:2 and 5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10)…
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
LESSON 3: Be open to what the Lord may be asking of you, even if it is difficult!
Following these 3 simple suggestions will help you hear and respond to the God’s voice. Give it a try today and see what happens!
That's a good question to be honest.
I think you are pointing out the dangers involved. We should not do it flippantly either. I personally believe a lot of praying can bring you to a proper maturity where you just know when it is True guidance.
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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."
Notice the word "anxious" in this scripture. If we patiently wait we will get an answer. It can be yes or no by what happens after by the request asked. We also should know what is a selfish request( which we should not ask) and a proper request. I firmly believe in the Quote " He helps are Needs not our Greeds".
If we ask without a doubt an answer will come. True time tested experience in Prayer will bring us that maturity to know it is Jesus's/Gods voice.
JAMES 1:
2" Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 If any of you lacks Wisdom, you should Ask God, who gives Generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."
Notice the word "Wisdom". I always try to ask for this in all things.
Just three years ago I had to evaluate if to leave or early retirement from my job. We had almost three thousand people which after layoffs in one year we were down to 550 people. We were wondering if the company would exist or not. I worked 24 years with this company.
So I prayed and partial fasted for a month then after a phone call about the status of the member/employee, I made a quick decision to do a severance 17 weeks paid checks with a early retirement monthly check. So I in one week I retired and two months later the old retirement plans were changed. I had no definite idea this would happen except responding thru prayer. My friends(I told them to leave) who stayed were locked out of what I got.
Well it was one of the best things to have happened. If I did not follow the Lord I would not be where I am now. I am financially independent( Not rich) where I have helped Family and friends(Old and just New-LOL) in Christ.
Also read Post 15 about more pray in my own life.
God Bless! Praise Jesus for All the Glory!!
Freeper Cheers and Regard!
This makes no sense at all. What are you talking about? Are you mind reading and thinking that Catholics hear voices?The Title of Post is this " 3 Suggestions For Hearing And Responding To God’s Voice
It says
If you want to hear the Lord speaking to you, find a quiet place (even if only for a few minutes) and pray. If it was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for us. According to St. Cyprian of Carthage, “If He who is without sin prayed, how much more ought sinners to pray?”
Be open to what the Lord may be asking of you, even if it is difficult!
One more time..How do you know if it is God one is hearing from??