Do you start your prayer time by talking? I often do. There are many things in my life for which I need His divine intervention and guidance. I have my to-do list for God and I rarely hesitate bringing it to Him. Jesus encouraged us to ask freely (Matt 7:7), but He also said that His sheep know and listen to His voice (John 10:27). How can I possibly hear what God wants for me if my prayer time is merely a filibuster of what I want from Him? The verse that follows in Ecclesiastes is a good reminder: “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (Eccl 5:2)

Your thoughts? What are ways you’ve found to help you better hear from God?