Spiritual Practices: Hearing God
The last few weeks have been full—traveling, spending time with family, and being off my usual routine in all the good ways. But with the change of pace has come a kind of noise, too. Not necessarily loud noise, but the kind of busy that fills every margin and edge of my day. I realized recently that while I’ve still been praying, I haven’t really been listening for God. And that made me wonder—how often do I expect to hear God’s voice without making space to actually do so?
Hearing God may feel like one of the more elusive spiritual practices, but Scripture makes clear that it’s not only possible—it’s part of a relationship with Him.
God Speaks
From the beginning, God has been speaking. He spoke the world into being (Genesis 1), He walked and talked with Adam and Eve, and He continued to reveal Himself to His people throughout the Old Testament—through prophets, signs, Scripture, and sometimes even out of burning bushes.
In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the very Word of God (John 1:1). His voice called people to follow Him, challenged assumptions, healed the broken, and comforted the weary. And after His resurrection, He promised the Holy Spirit would continue to guide, remind, and speak to us (John 14:26, John 16:13).
God speaking to us is not a new idea—it’s foundational. What may change is our ability or willingness to listen.
What Does God’s Voice Sound Like?
This question comes up often, and understandably so. Most of us won’t hear an audible voice from the clouds. (Though I won’t rule it out—He’s God!) But more often, we “hear” Him in quieter ways.
Hearing God’s voice often looks like a phrase from Scripture that lingers in your heart, a sense of peace or conviction, the wise words of a friend, or the quiet insight that surfaces during prayer. Sometimes we hear God in community; other times in solitude. Sometimes through silence.
One of my favorite examples is Elijah’s encounter with God in 1 Kings 19. After a powerful display of God’s might, Elijah hides in a cave, feeling alone and defeated. He expects God in wind, in earthquake, in fire—but instead, God comes in a gentle whisper. The kind of voice you can only hear if you’re paying attention.
Learning to Listen
Learning how to hear God’s voice is something we grow into. The more time we spend in Scripture, in prayer, in reflection, the more we begin recognizing God’s voice—even when it's quiet.
There may be seasons when God seems silent or when we’re unsure if we’re really hearing Him at all. That doesn’t mean He’s far. It may simply mean that we’re being invited to wait, to trust, or to listen in a different way.
As Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” That means we can learn to recognize Him. Not perfectly, but faithfully.
A Posture, Not a Performance
Hearing God is not a technique. It’s a posture of openness. It’s pausing long enough to ask, “Lord, what would You have me hear today?” and trusting that He will answer in His way and timing. Today, for me, that is the chorus of “Battle Belongs” -
So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
That might be through a verse that stays with you all day. It might be through the feeling of peace after you’ve made a decision. It might be through a holy nudge or a fresh insight in prayer. But always, His voice will sound like His character—full of truth, love, and grace.
You don’t need to be in a perfectly quiet place to begin. Just start with the intention to listen.
God is still speaking. What is he saying to you? Drop a note below!
