How to pray? Bible prayers.
People think prayer is talking. It is also listening. Don’t be surprised if God talks back to you. After all, communication, if it is to be communication, is a two-way street.
Three times, young Samuel went to the Priest Eli because the elder called. Three times, Eli told Sammy to go back to bed. He hadn’t called. Then, Eli understood: It was God calling Samuel. This was the beginning of ministry for Samuel. He hadn’t recognized the voice of God because he was unaccustomed (1 Samuel 3).
At Bible conference in Tucson.
Our church just finished a 40 day fast. We didn’t fast all food. We fasted something. Some fasted Facebook. I fasted sugar.
The incredible thing was God spoke. He told to start afresh. He told me to clean the slate. Through the 40 days, He restored relationship with some people in the church. I’m glowing with elation. I want to keep fasting sugar, and keep hearing from God. It has been a time of restoration.
Breakfast before the Bible conference.
How to pray? When was the last time you heard from God (or maybe never)? Believe it or not, God is actually wanting to talk to you. Can you take a break from the electronic devices long enough to listen?
How to recognize the voice of God?
- Don’t expect a booming voice.
- It will never contradict scripture.
- It will never authorize your sin.
- It will probably come straight from scripture.
- The effect will be to align you with His will.
- God doesn’t foretell the future. He tells you to trust and what to do.
So the next time you bend the knee, slow down the “blah blah blah” for a moment and tune in your ear. How to pray? Happy listening!
Mustard Seed Budget 
Dear Mike,
I really impressed. Thank you for sharing this great article.
Did you change your gravatar?
Good morning mike
Yes I change my gravatar. Is there some something wrong if I change it?
This is my own feeling, not a hard-and-fast rule. Your gravatar is your brand. People come to recognize you by your gravatar. When you change it, you risk losing some of your followers. As it is, a smiling face is always a good gravatar. In my own case, I had an original artwork done that is distinctive and stands out. I vote for the old gravatar. I think it’ll get you more mileage than this one. Hope this helps! (You can pray about it).
Dear mike,good morning..
Gravatar like an in identity too right? Ok ASAP I will change it to the previous gravatar..but with the different kind of my photo, if would be OK? Thank you very much for your reasonable opinion,mike. I really appreciate it.:)
Karina
🙂
Thank you for your advice, Mike..I really appreciate it..
Karina
happy blogging!
Wow do I love this. Thank you
Praise Him!
Great post!! God Bless!! As you keep listening!!
Praise God
Reblogged this on Worship His Holiness.
sharing in my facebook for the kids
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Great post!
Thanks!
These are great reminders to listen more! We never know what God may want to tell us.
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I’m trying to shut out the noise so i can listen to God or perhaps if i listen first, the noise will die down? Trying, praying, listening… Thank you Pastor Ashcraft! 😀
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Great advice sir. What is put into our heart that praises Him will lead us to true contentment. Thank you for stopping by hisnamebpraised and liking the post. Continued prayers for blessings for you, your ministry and all who are fortunate to come into contact with you. Take care, Doug
Thanks, Doug! Same to you!
The first time I ever heard God in what was practically an audible voice, He told me to shut up! I have been “pounding on heaven’s door” so hard I couldn’t hear what He was trying to say to me.
Yeah, that’s what my pastor says too! I haven’t heard Him telling me to shut up — at least not yet.
Great post. Moving away from something we enjoy and turning focus on the Lord always ends up in a new, or different awareness of God-in-us. En Theos, enthusiasm. Enjoy your posts, thanks.
stay en-theos-aistic!
Fasting sugar? That’s a hard one! I haven’t fasted any time recently, thanks for the idea of the sugar one
I would have thought that you were a big faster of sugar since you are SLIM jim. LOL!
Ha, I’m becoming less slim
You can say I’m getting around to MediumJim
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LoL @ ” slow down the “blah blah blah” ” Beatiful… i’m motivated to try a different type of fasting other than food!
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You are always so encouraging!
Praise Him!
If you do NOT accept award, PLEASE pass this on to a friend.
I would ask you accept this Award and Song:
“The Shine on Award”
http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/shine-on-award-4/
Kindest Regards.
More love, Less Hate
Shaun
Thank you for this gentle reminder and encouragement. I have to admit that often I get frustrated because I don’t feel that God is speaking to my heart but you have reminded me that it is hard to hear him when I am so distracted by the other noises in my life. I think I need to consider fasting from some of this…
Great to see the encouragement!
Awesome post! So practical and relevant. Thank you!!
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It will never contradict scripture. How often, in my work, people tell me that God gave them peace about something this is clearly against His Word. So important that we know not what we FEEL, but what is TRUTH.
Yes indeed. People do that all the time.
I liked this , thank you and you are so right.
God bless you!