"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear" James 1:19 NKJV
Mark Twain said:
"If God intended us to talk more than listen, he would have given us two mouths and one ear."
It is possible to talk too much and fail to listen to what is being said. This is so important if you are counselling someone. The person who needs help, needs to do the talking but, if you're not careful, you can take over the session. This can be witnessed in prayer groups. One of the members may tend to take over with lengthy prayers that somehow lose the theme of what they are saying. In our own personal prayer time, it's so easy to do all the talking to God and not give Him the chance to get a word in at all.
If you're like me, I tend to drift off in open prayer meetings and, many is the time when I have been asked what I feel about something and I haven't had the foggiest idea of what has been prayed. I am working on this but I am a great supporter of keeping prayers short, sharp and crisp. This way. I am ready if God speaks a word.
Do you think that there are times when God has spoken to you but, because you are going through your own prayer requests that you have missed what He has said? Yes, God can repeat Himself but, what if He doesn't we may miss the answer that we have been waiting for. It may be helpful to try not to cram everything in your own prayer time. Keep focused on what you want to say and give God the opportunity to speak to you about it. If after a short time, you haven't heard from God, then move on to your next request and so on. God hears what you say, don't doubt that, but, He will not be rushed. Things take time to fit into place if it's needed.
Make sure that you listen to God on a regular basis. Ensure that your ears are always open to Him (Notice I said ears and not ear). And let's not forget to keep our ears open to people who wish to speak to us. Proverbs 4:20-22 says 'My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh,'
You know, there is nothing more irritating than trying to speak with someone who is doing something while your are with them. They may answer the 'phone or shout over to someone else about something or other. As much as you possibly can, always try and give people the dignity to listen. They may interrupt your working day, but if it can't wait for a suitable time, then break off and try and help. It may be a matter of life or death.
Just think, God always has a listening ear to us, let us endeavour to do the same for each other.
Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
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