Enlighten: Talking To God For Guidance And Empowerment

Talking to God entails a highly spiritual, personal, and often private relationship. Although God is aware of our every thought and intention, he desires that we be close to him and “hear his heart as well as his voice.”

In this journey of faith, we come to realize that conversing with God is not limited to the hallowed halls of a place of worship or the utterance of formal prayers. It permeates every facet of our existence and everyday life. We can encounter the divine in the grandeur of nature, the kindness of others, and the quiet moments of solitude.

It is not enough to acknowledge God in our lives; we must also be deeply and meaningfully connected to him. By praying to God and reading his written word, we remind ourselves that no matter what happens, he is the answer.

What Does The Bible Say About Talking To God?

Our father desires a personal relationship with us. He is aware, present, and compassionately involved in every detail of who we are. 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God; he hears us when we ask anything according to his will.”

Psalms 34:18 says, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Our almighty God understands our feelings and knows what we are going through. When we call on him, God helps us bear the burden of sorrow.

Psalm 145:18–19: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.” The more we allow the word of God to influence our hearts and minds, the more we can pray according to God’s nature[1] and will.

When we pray in this manner, we will not only find that God answers our prayers positively, but we will also sense God’s presence in our lives. He will become “close” to us as we focus on his truth and develop a deeper relationship with him. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

Is It Possible To Talk With God?

Human beings can talk to God. The Bible has records of God speaking audibly to people many times (Exodus 3:14; Joshua 1:1; Judges 6:18; 1 Samuel 3:11; 2 Samuel 2:1; Job 40:1; Isaiah 7:3; Jeremiah 1:7; Acts 8:26; 9:15). Because Jesus Christ has removed the barrier between us and God the Father. This barrier exists because we have sinned. Because of its removal, we can talk to and approach God, especially in prayer.

The Bible also contains detailed instructions on how to pray to God about our sorrows, for mercy and forgiveness, and to develop a warm, personal relationship. The Bible also demonstrates that God communicates with us through his word. When we trust in Christ for salvation, God allows us to communicate with him at any time through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. “Call to me, and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3).

Is Talking To God The Same As Praying?

Prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue. When we lead a prayer life, we are communing with the Father and fellowshipping with him. We may be thanking him and praying for salvation, and then we may begin worshiping him, or we may remain silent and try to hear what he has to say.

“Never stop praying,” God says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which means we should always speak to our one true God in our everyday lives, in silence, in our hearts, or aloud, anytime and anywhere. After all, God is present in everything we encounter.

Praying is not just conversing with God but also the beginning of a relationship with him. As in any relationship, communication and love play important roles. It’s how we get closer to him. According to the Bible, when we are close to God, he grants us the desires of our hearts. Prayer is more than just asking God for things and talking to him; it is also listening to him through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

How To Talk To God

We already know it is possible to talk to God, but how do we talk to God? In Matthew 6:9–13, Jesus tells us how to pray when he gives us the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus taught us that The Lord’s Prayer provides a structure for prayer, starting with acknowledging God’s sovereignty. However, the Lord’s Prayer offers a few other hints about the “how” of communicating with God.

1. Remember, the God you are praying to now is the same God you have always known—the God who created the earth. “Give us our daily bread today,” a request as well as a reminder of what the Lord did for Israel when they crossed the Red Sea. The Lord fed his people daily, not only physically but also spiritually.
2. Put the flesh to death (Galatians 5:24). Your flesh desires to infect prayer with sin, causing divisiveness between you and God. Following “daily bread” with “forgive us our debts” implies prudence because we want more than we need and will sin to obtain it.
3. Ask what to pray for. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” We need the Lord’s peace, forgiveness, and the ability to see others with mercy and grace. The Lord will answer prayers.
4. Recognize the gift you already possess. “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). Believers have been forgiven, allowing us to approach God. We all desire to be in heaven; therefore, we should be jubilant to know we already have a place there.
5. Forgive others. When we harbor unforgiveness, it is like a closed door between God and us; we cannot communicate with him. “If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses,” Jesus Christ warned (Matthew 6:15). Jesus Christ died for all of our sins. We must also forgive others in the same way. If forgiveness is difficult for us, we can pray to God for the strength to do so. He won’t break a bruised reed.

How To Talk To God About Your Problems

We can be confident that God wants to hear about our problems because the apostle Peter instructs us to “cast all your care upon him, for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). There are multiple instances in the Bible of people sharing their problems with God and seeking his assistance. Many of these heartfelt prayers are recorded in the book of Psalms.

Problems from other people: “LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise against me. Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ Selah. But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, and he heard me from his holy hill” (Psalm 3:1–4).

Scriptures teach us how to deal with problems with sickness and health trials: “Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; but You, O LORD—how long?” (Psalm 6:2–3).

Problems with “the shadow of death”: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). This biblical verse particularly highlights that God cares for us.

On approaching God with problems of sin and guilt: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. God bless me and wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1–2).

How Can We Hear And Listen To God?

We will hear directly from God if we are willing and humble enough to listen. We may not hear God’s voice or receive a message in a dream, but he is always present in creation, in his word, in answered prayers, and miracles.

To hear and listen to God, we must be deliberate in our focus, which means that our time and calendar must reflect our heart’s desire. This entails having a regular time each day to spend alone in a quiet spot with God. To hear God, we must be tuned into the right frequency and have the proper state of our hearts.

We must listen with an open mind and heart. According to the Bible, we will find him if we seek him with all of our hearts. This means being open and receptive to God’s guidance and instruction and being willing to obey.

Through God’s word, creation, and character, the Holy Spirit helps translate our prayers to God and reveals our breakthroughs. We become open to God’s good, perfect, and just will when we strain to see beyond our way and how we believe God should answer our prayers.

We must trust that God has a personal message for our provision, protection, and purpose. We must be aware that God loves us and is the only one who can guide and sustain us. Putting our trust in him demonstrates a listening and willing heart and reflects our love for him.

We must be patient in our prayer lives. Remember that God knows what you need exactly when you need it. You may have your prayers answered now or in over a decade, but the important thing is that, as God’s children, we trust that the heavenly father knows what’s best for us.

2 Ways To Communicate With God

We often want to talk to God, but we are uncertain about how to do it. One way to talk to God is through prayer. One of the most popular methods and acronyms for guiding us in praying is ACTS: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

As we engage in adoration, we lift our voices and spirits to praise him for who he is—the Creator of the universe, the Sustainer of all life, and the embodiment of love and righteousness. This act of pure reverence and awe serves to purify our hearts, allowing us to set aside our self-centered desires and align ourselves with the divine will.

Through confession, we humbly acknowledge the reality of our human frailty and imperfections as God’s children. It is a solemn recognition that we have fallen short of God’s perfect standard and have sinned against him and others. However, confession is not an exercise in self-condemnation; rather, it is an invitation to experience the liberating power of God’s grace.

As we confess our sins, we find solace in the knowledge that, through Christ’s redemptive work, we are granted forgiveness and salvation (1 John 1:9). The weight of guilt and shame is lifted from our shoulders, and we are welcomed into the embrace of God’s loving mercy, secure in the knowledge that God hears us.

In the rhythm of our spiritual journey, thanksgiving plays a pivotal role. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, our hearts gradually shift toward an attitude of thankfulness. We begin to recognize the countless blessings that grace our lives, both in times of joy and amidst the challenges we face. Even amid trials, we find that thanksgiving has a way of transforming our perspective, allowing us to see the hand of God at work, molding and shaping us through every circumstance.

Supplication, a natural extension of our relationship with our dear God, represents our heartfelt requests for assistance, healing, and blessings. In supplication, we discover the power of surrender, recognizing that God’s wisdom and plan far exceed our limited understanding, and his response may not always align with our immediate desires. Yet, we must trust God and rest assured that God hears us and that his ultimate purpose is for our good.

The Power Of Journaling

Another way to talk to God is through journaling. Make a special place for quiet times with God. Couple prayer journaling with daily devotional readings of Scripture to complete the conversation.

Through the art of journaling, we embark on a journey of self-reflection and spiritual exploration. It allows us to pour our thoughts, emotions, and prayers onto the pages, forming an unfiltered and genuine expression of our hearts. In the presence of God, we need not hold back, as he lovingly welcomes our vulnerability and authenticity.

In this private realm of written communication, we find solace in knowing that God listens without judgment, comprehending the depths of our joys and struggles. Our hopes, dreams, and fears are laid bare before the divine, reinforcing the bond between our souls and the Creator, knowing that God promises to take care of us.

To enhance the experience of journaling as a means of connecting with God, we can combine it with the regular reading of Scripture and daily devotionals. The wisdom and guidance in the sacred texts provide a profound framework for our conversations with God. The words ancient sages and prophets penned resonate through time, speaking directly to our hearts and souls.

Engaging in daily devotional readings of Scripture illuminates our understanding of God’s teachings and offers insights into His character and will. By meditating on these divine truths, we gain a deeper comprehension of our relationship with the Creator, fostering a sense of closeness and trust.

As we unite journaling with the spiritual nourishment derived from Scripture, we find our conversations with God taking on new dimensions. The sacred words of the Bible inspire our prayers, shaping them with profound meaning and purpose. In return, our journaling becomes an avenue for receiving divine revelations and insights as we open ourselves to the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit.

In this transformative process, our faith is strengthened, and we become more attuned to God’s presence in our daily lives. The special place we create for these encounters with the Divine becomes a sanctuary of peace, where the distractions of the world fade away and we can truly listen to God’s still, small voice.

God’s word appears on time to address our prayer concerns. Sometimes it happens right away, and sometimes it takes time. Those breakthrough moments are the incredible miracles that strengthen our faith and make us want to spend more time with him.

7 Tips To Make Your Prayer Time Better

1. Talk to God as if he were your best friend. You can trust God and talk to him about anything without fear of judgment, just like a true believer would. You can run to him and tell him everything. He is always available to listen to you, regardless of the time or situation.
2. Get physically comfortable. While it is appropriate to kneel when praying, it is not always necessary. You must relax mentally and physically to stay focused on your intentions toward God. When you are exhausted and unable to get out of bed to pray, pray to God while lying down. He understands your heart and desires and will accept whatever prayer position you choose. He’d rather let you pray than skip it because you can’t get on the floor.
3. Make a list ahead of time. When our minds are jumbled, thinking of anything to say when we pray can be challenging. If that’s the case, try making a list beforehand. This relieves the pressure of remembering everything you want to pray for, allowing you to enjoy the conversation and feel his love.
4. Remember to listen. How often do you pause to listen to what God is saying to you? We sometimes lose sight of the fact that this is a two-way conversation. He enjoys listening to you, but he is also available to assist you and provide answers through the Holy Spirit. When you ask for something, take a breath and listen.
5. Pray frequently. The more you pray, the more natural it will appear, and the more you will want to pray. Prayer should not be regarded as a “chore” but as genuine communication with God.
6. Read the Bible for answers. Praying may be difficult for you because you do not feel like you are receiving answers. If that is the case, read the Word of God. God will sometimes answer our prayers through the verses we read. Prayer and scripture study go hand in hand.
7. Believe that God will answer you. God is trustworthy even when you don’t see your prayers answered or problems solved immediately. You may think, “God didn’t help me last time, so why would he help me this time?” Don’t ask for anything in your prayer unless you truly believe God will answer you. According to the Bible, God always keeps his promises. He cares about you and has good things in store for you, including eternal life.

Conclusion

Recognizing God in our lives isn’t enough; we also need to build a strong relationship with him through prayer and reading his word. It is essential to talk to God in our hearts and minds, guided by the Holy Spirit, whether we pray aloud or silently.

We can talk to him about what is happening inside us—good and bad. God loves us and is always eager to hear from us; however, we will hear directly from God if we are willing and humble enough to listen.