Be Alert
By Marilynn Chadwick
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” —Colossians 4:2 NIV
John Wesley encouraged his early followers (the first Methodists) to be alert and practice the “discipline of watching.” If you want to learn how to hear God’s voice, it’s vital to remain alertto God’s whispers. It’s also important to carve out a time and a place to listen to God on a daily basis. I’ll say it again: I love my “morning launch!”
Like the prophet Elijah, we want to train our heart to hear God's voice – not always easy in our busy, noisy world. And remember, he heard the still, small voice of God.
“At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper”(1 Kings 19:11-12 CSB).
Why do you think Elijah was able to discern God’s whisper? What can you learn from Elijah about listening to God?
By now, I hope you have your Bible, a journal, and some 3x5 cards (I like the wirebound version). Here are a few simple training tips to help you stay alert and watchful:
Pick out a prayer triggeras a reminder to keep watch. A prayer trigger is simply an object that reminds you to pray. It’s fun to have a prayer trigger for each family member. If you’re in a small group, why not share your prayer triggers with each other? Then watch throughout your day to see how many times you’re reminded to pray. I’ve shared how, during a long battle with infertility, bunnies became my prayer trigger. Friends caught on and got a bit carried away with the encouragement, sending cards, gifts, even figurines of rabbits. Our three kids now find the bunnies scattered around our home quite amusing!
Pray the BLESSprayer when you come across someone’s prayer trigger: B–Bless their Body; L–Bless their Labor; E–Bless their Emotional health; S–Bless their Social relationships; S–Bless their Spiritual life.
Lord, make Psalm 5:3 my challenge today:“In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch” (NASB). Encourage me to be sensitive to your whispers and watchful for evidence of your work all around me. Above all, may I begin to train my heart to hear your voice.
Experience the transforming power of hearing God's voice
Hearing from God through His Word brings you life-changing wisdom and confidence.
That’s why we want to thank you for your gift today by sending you a copy of Hearing the Voice of God by Pastor David Chadwick. It’ll show you:
- How to hear the voice of God through His Word
- The incredible depths of God’s love for you
- How to develop a deeper and stronger relationship with God
- Insights and inspiration for your life with Christ
God wants to communicate with you, and Hearing the Voice of God, takes you through the Gospel of John to show you how to hear God speaking powerfully and personally through His Word.
Don’t miss all you can gain from this powerful 4-month devotional book. And don’t miss your opportunity to give below to give more people a reason for hope in Jesus.
Thank you!
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