Ask and You Shall Receive - November 8, 2023

Tune in Wednesday, November 8 at 4 p.m. to Siouxland Catholic Radio 88.1 FM. Draw Near's Fred and Kara bring you parts 2 and 3 of the 5-part series on "Hearing God's Voice."

In part 2, of our "Hearing God's Voice Series," Kara offers two practical tips for your spiritual life to grow in your ability to hear God's voice and familiarity with his voice.

In part 3 of the "Hearing God's Voice Series," Fred is joined by Julie Storr, from Lectio the Liturgy. Julie presented at our recent Draw Near Retreat in which the theme was, "Hearing God's Voice." Julie offers some great practical steps for not only hearing the Lord's voice, but also building a lifestyle in which a relationship with God is characterized by talking with your loving Father is not just a wish, but an actual lived experience, rooted in prayer, in Scripture, and in the life of the Holy Spirit. Our journey with the Lord is one that is lived step by step! So many effective spiritual disciplines that help us grow in the life of prayer and relationship with Christ walk us through a process of steps (e.g. Lectio Divina, Ignatian Discernment, the ACTS prayer method, etc.). If you are looking for a way to grow deeper in your relationship with Christ, if you are not sure if you have ever heard the Lord speak, this may just be a great place to start! This four-step method to hearing God's voice comes from Habakkuk 2:1-2: "I will take my stand at my watch post and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the LORD answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.'"

Four Steps to Hearing God's Voice: Step 1: Quiet Your Heart and Mind Position yourself in faith to hear. I can hear Jesus' voice because he said so (Jn 10:1-5; Jn 1-:27) Step 2: Put Yourself in Jesus' Presence

• Prepare and quiet yourself to receive.

• Focus your spiritual eyes on what Jesus wants to give you.

• Use Scripture, music, and art, to help reset your mind.

• Ask God direct questions. Ask and you shall receive! (Mt 7:7) (e.g. "What do you want me to know right now?" "How do you want to love me today?" "Who have you given me to love today?")

Step 3: Pay Attention Pay attention to the spontaneous thoughts, images, or feelings in your heart that flow like a stream. Step 4: Honor God's Words Honor what the Lord has spoken by writing down what you receive. Do not doubt, just write.

This four-step method was adapted from Encounter Ministries and the book, The Four Keys to Hearing God's Voice. This adaptation is prepared and provided by Julie Storr. Learn more about her ministry by clicking on this text.