He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Church.” Revelation 2:7 (NKJV)
This phrase is repeated in each letter to the seven Churches in Revelations. Of course the Holy Spirit is not talking about physical ears, but our spiritual ones. Many religions pray: Buddhists pray, Muslim’s pray, Hindu’s pray. The difference for us is that we believe we are in the presence of someone “who speaks!”
Someone once said that talking to God produces trust, but listening to God produces faith. What we say when we’re in His presence is of value to Him, but it is what He says when we’re in His presence that takes us to another level. Why would we want to be in the presence of the one whom Jesus called “the Spirit of Truth” and just talk?
I’ve got a long way to go on the learning curve of life, but one thing I have done well is learn how to be mentored. There are two keys to being mentored: listening and following. I went to breakfast years ago with a very accomplished minister. I just listened. When I did open my mouth, it was just to ask questions. Recently, when Dr. Kevin Dyson ministered for us (a man who has 4 or 5 earned doctorates), we took him out to lunch afterwards. I said very little, I listened. How much more should we put that into practice when we are in the presence of ”the Teacher?”
Grab a notepad when you pray and write down what He is saying. John Mason says “Hearing tells you the band is playing, listening tells you what the song is”. Listening is developed skill. It takes time to develop your listening ear, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear anything right away. Through diligence and hunger you will hear that still small voice speaking to your life, and your prayer life will never be the same.
Together, we believe the best is yet to come!
My ears are like small muscles, and I need to build them up and exercise them more often. My mouth muscle tends to dominate most of the time.