Living in the Garden of Grace: Listening!
"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." (Mark 1:35)
"Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat." (Numbers 7:89)
(Credit: Living in the Garden of Grace by Kuykendall)
Imagine sitting by a peaceful river at dawn, the world around you still and quiet. As the water flows gently, the air fills with a sense of calm and expectation. In this sacred stillness, you lean in to hear a whisper—the gentle voice of your Father speaking words of guidance, correction, comfort, and explanation. This is the essence of listening in prayer.
The Practice of Listening
Jesus exemplified listening in His prayer life. Rising early, He sought the Father’s voice in solitude. In Mark 1:38, we see the fruit of His listening: clear guidance on where to go and what to do next. Jesus’ time with the Father wasn’t merely a monologue of requests but a sacred dialogue of speaking and listening.
Moses, too, experienced this profound communion. As he entered the earthly tabernacle, he didn’t just speak—he heard the voice of God from above the mercy seat. This holy interaction was not limited to Moses or Jesus; it is an invitation extended to all believers to dwell in the heavenly Holy of Holies, listening to the Father’s voice.
Why Listening Matters
Guidance: In prayer, God directs our steps, just as He guided Jesus to preach in the next towns.
Correction: The Father lovingly refines us, aligning our hearts with His will.
Comfort: His words bring peace and reassurance in times of trouble.
Explanation: Through listening, God provides clarity and understanding of His purposes.
Listening is not passive but active dependence, requiring stillness and humility before the Lord.
A Parable of Listening
A gardener tends her garden each morning, carefully observing her plants. She notices which ones need water, which need pruning, and which are ready to bloom. The garden thrives because she listens to what it needs rather than assuming she knows best.
In the same way, our spiritual lives flourish when we listen to the Father, allowing His wisdom to guide our actions.
Reflection Questions:
How often do you include intentional listening in your prayer time?
What distractions might be keeping you from hearing God’s voice?
How can you create space for solitude and stillness with the Father this week?
A Prayer of Listening
Father, we come into Your presence, quieting our hearts to hear Your voice. Speak to us as we dwell in the Holy of Holies. We trust you to guide us in Your will, correct us with Your love, and comfort us with Your truth. Thank You for teaching us to walk in step with You, always ready to listen and obey. Amen.
Final Thought
Prayer is not complete without listening. Like Jesus in the solitary place and Moses in the tabernacle, let us daily enter the Holy of Holies to hear the Father’s voice. He longs to speak words of life and direction into our hearts—are we listening?