Prayer Week 25: Call to Obedience

We often view prayer as one way, like giving feedback on a website. We generally don’t expect a response, especially a personal one. If anything we get a “thank you, your opinion is important to us” or “we’re taking it under advisement.” Sadly, we view prayer as being about us. We do all the talking and if we do happen to listen, it’s for an answer to what we said. But how often do we listen for instructions, to hear a command for us to obey?

 

Ecclesiastes 8:5 New American Standard Bible 1995

He who keeps a royal command experiences no trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure.

James 1:22 New American Standard Bible 1995

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

James 1:22 New American Standard Bible 1995

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

John 14:23 New American Standard Bible 1995

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.”

Luke 11:28 New American Standard Bible 1995

But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Exodus 19:5 New American Standard Bible 1995

Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;

Romans 10:17 New American Standard Bible 1995

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

 

We tend to view obeying God’s commands in an abstract sense. We think of it only in the realm of doing what the Bible says, some more leniently than others. The idea that God would personally tell us something He wants us to do is foreign. How can we know what God wants us to do if He doesn’t speak to us out loud? While there are times when He does actually speak to us audibly (I have experienced this,) more often it is through the nudging of the Spirit. It is not so much a structured sentence, but more of an idea or a picture accompanied by an urge to act. This could be as simple as taking someone a meal, or offering an invitation. God’s call is often not grandiose, but common and every day. The reason we don’t notice it every day is because we aren’t listening. In 1 Kings, God has a message for the prophet Elijah, yet He does not speak through the fire, storm or earthquake, but through the gentle whisper of the wind. It is hard to hear if we are surrounded by noise, chaos and busyness.

 

There are two ways to make ourselves better adapt at hearing the voice of God. The first is to make being alone and quiet a regular practice. The other is to consciously make oneself more aware of God’s voice and presence. God is everywhere, but we are usually not aware of it. Part of this is being in constant communion with God, keeping the door of communication open by being mindful of Him. The other part is to be in God’s word. The more we know Him the better we will recognize His will and voice. The primary requisite to knowing God’s will and obeying His command is being open, a humble willingness to submit to Him. It does not matter how much God talks to us if we don’t listen, or how much we listen if we are not willing to obey.

 

This week as you pray, ask God to make you aware of Him. Invite Him to speak to you. Be willing to obey. Tell Him (truthfully) that you are willing to do whatever He commands. Express faith that you will know how and what to do when the time comes. Be ready and attentive every moment of every day.

 Prayer points taken from Praying Through Adversity by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.