God Hears – Do You?

Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness;

Let us exalt His name together.

I prayed to the LORD, and He answered me.

He freed me from all my fears. Psalm 34:3-4

Doesn’t it make you feel good—when someone listens—really listens—to what you are saying? You feel like they care about you…even love you. Do you do the same for others? Do you put down your i-phone and focus your attention on what your kiddos are telling you about their day…or asking about something that is important to them? Do you turn off the TV and read to them when they bring you a book, shoving it into your hands and pleading with you to “read this to me” or ask for a story? Do you actually pay attention to what your spouse, co-worker, or sales clerk is saying when they are just chatting with you?

God promises to hear our prayers. Our prayers are conversation with Him.

I love the LORD because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Psalm 116:1

There are possibly billions of people praying to God all at the same time—yet He hears everyone’s prayers. He really listens.

Tip for the day on how to really listen to God or to people with whom we live or work.

STOP what you are doing.

LOOK at the person who is speaking to you.

FOCUS on them.

LISTEN intentionally to what they are saying.

REPEAT back to them what they have said (form of Active Listening).

           

Training Tip for Parents - Play “Mother May I?” game with your children. This will encourage them to obey…and demonstrate your listening skills as you repeat their requests. You can add some variety by whoever gets to the “Mother” first becomes the “Mother” so that they learn how it is to listen, as well as obey. You can add other skills, like somersaults or crab walks to the mix of big steps, little steps and hops.  (from October 3, 2013 Banquet With The King blog)

Prayer ~ Thank You Lord for hearing my prayers. Help me to be a good listener—like You—and really listen to those around me.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 3-4

 © 2017 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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