The following article is an excerpt from Robert Lund's 95 Theses For Apostolic Reformation (Thesis Number Three) and appeared in Issue 3 Volume 2 January 7, 2000.

Thesis #3: Hearing God’s Voice Via Listening Prayer And Cultivating An Obedient Response Reflex, Must Be At The Center Of Our Individual And Corporate Prayer Activity.

There are many kinds of prayer, but only one is the most effective, while at the same time, the most difficult. There are prayers of intercession, petition, Scripture, and praise. These all have their time and place in our lives. But listening prayer stands by itself, largely because it is the one which first makes the bulk of its time listening to God first, rather than filling the time with our words. Personally, it is one of the hardest things in my life to sit still and listen to God. John Alley, a leader in Australia refers to listening prayer as the “key to the age.” He claims that being able to hear God on critical issues at critical times will make the difference between life and death for many in the coming days. In a series of messages delivered by John in Toronto in November of 1997, he spoke loud and clear as to how the Church generally follows Jesus, but rarely hears His voice.

In the Gospels, we see how Jesus usually spoke to the masses in parables. When asked by the disciples why He spoke in such clouded fashion, He replied in Matthew 13:13, “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” Jesus further explains that one reason we cannot hear what God is saying is because our hearts are not inclined to obey what we hear. Listening prayer postures our heart to not only hear the Lord, but also places us it in a position to obey whatever the Lord says.

Much like the seven churches in Revelation, God continually implores His people, ”He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” You say, “What do you mean, who has an ear?” Of course I have an ear! But do you have a listening ear (which implies an obedient heart)? Our Lord is speaking all the time, but few have learned to quiet and posture their hearts to really hear His voice.

My experience and observation in the Church is that the vast majority of the time we (including myself!) talk, plan, and scheme while tossing up a few token, “Oh God, please bless our plans” kind of prayers and then proceed with whatever we please. Rare is the person or the assembly that fasts, worships, and listens before charging ahead with ministry activity. Keep in mind the words of Jesus to Martha as He responded to her criticism of Mary who was sitting at His feet listening to Jesus, “But the Lord answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’"

What We Can Do!

Let’s take time to listen to the Lord. Remember, God doesn’t usually shout at us; He whispers. Be still and know that He is God! As we cultivate the reflex response of obedience, He will tell us more. As with raising children, quality time is born out of quantity time.