Do You Pray to Hear or Just to Be Heard?
Introduction
We live in a generation that has mastered the art of asking—but not the art of listening. We have perfected the rhythm of prayer requests, but often lack the posture of holy listening. Yet Scripture consistently shows us that God does not respond to noise; He responds to humility and obedience.
“We are good at sending our petitions to God, but we are not good at sitting back and listening to what He has to say” — Prophet TB Joshua
This message is not a call to abandon your requests. Rather, it is a divine invitation to enter a higher realm of prayer—a realm where we don’t just talk to God, but commune with Him, and let His voice override our desires.
🌿 Learning to Listen in Prayer
Most of us have no trouble presenting our petitions to God. We come with burdens, needs, dreams, and pains—hoping He will answer quickly and favorably. But how many of us take time to listen for His response?
Many believers are good at talking to God, but not many are good at listening to Him.
We pour out our needs, our requests, our worries—but we rarely wait for His response.
Most of us are good at sending petitions to God…
But how many of us are good at listening to what He has to say?
The truth is: many say, “Speak, Lord,” but only want to hear “Yes.”
We want quick answers. But true spiritual maturity is learning that God speaks in silence, in waiting, in stillness.
✨ Think More Before You Pray
Before you pray, meditate until you receive a clear light to pray.
Prophet TB Joshua says:
“Meditate until Jesus gives you a clear light.”
Prayer without meditation is like speaking to someone and walking away before they respond. Meditation tunes your heart to Heaven’s frequency. It sharpens your spiritual hearing.
Meditation sharpens your spirit.
Meditation prepares your heart.
Meditation aligns your will with Heaven’s will.
Before you pray, pause and prepare:
- Reflect on the Scriptures.
- Invite the Holy Spirit to quiet your mind.
- Open your heart to correction, not just comfort.
Before you ask—surrender.
Don’t rush into prayer with your agenda. Instead, enter with reverence, with expectation, with a heart ready to hear.
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” — Isaiah 30:15
✨Prayer is a two-way conversation.
Prayer is not only about talking to God—it’s about hearing from God. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).
But hearing requires stillness. It requires a quieted heart and a surrendered spirit.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
Too often, we rush through our prayers with frustration rather than faith. We push our own agendas, hoping God will sign off. But real spiritual maturity asks:
- Am I ready to listen to God’s will, or am I pushing my own?
- Am I praying with faith, or frustration?
- Do I want God’s plan—or simply His permission?
Let us revisit one of the most profound moments in Scripture where a man of God learned to listen, not just ask:
2 Corinthians 12:8–9
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’”
Apostle Paul, after asking three times for the thorn to be removed, stopped. Why? Because he received a clear word from God. He heard something that was more powerful than the deliverance he sought.
He didn’t get what he wanted—but he got what he needed.
🙇♂️ The Prayers Jesus Christ Hears Most Clearly
God is not moved by volume. He is moved by humility.
The most beautiful prayers are often the simplest:
🕊️ “Lord, I am a sinner. I deserve nothing but judgment. Thank You for your mercy.” 🕊️ “Lord, I am conscious that I merit nothing on my own.
🕊️ “Lord, I’ll be grateful for anything You give me.
These are prayers of surrender—faith-filled, not forceful. This is the prayer that touches heaven—not because of eloquence of the heart behind it.
Compare this with the language of pride:
❌ “Why is this happening to me?”
❌ “I pay my tithes. I deserve more than this.”
❌ “I’ve served You, Lord. How much longer must I wait?”
This is not the voice of faith. It is the voice of entitlement—a symptom of pride.
When Prayer Turns to Performance
“Lord, if You don’t show up, I’m quitting this marriage!”
“If I don’t get that visa or breakthrough, what’s the point of serving You?”
“I pay my tithes. I fast. I serve. Why are You still silent?”
“I’ve paid my dues.”
“I’ve served long enough to deserve this.”
These are not petitions—they are complaints. And at the root of such prayers is pride masquerading as frustration.
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6
But here’s the reality: God owes us nothing, yet He gives us everything in mercy.
“The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” — Psalm 51:17
God hears prayers clothed in humility far more than those dressed in entitlement.
The Danger of Never Hearing From God
Many believers are so focused on answers that they miss God’s voice entirely.
“To learn how to hear from above after prayer is a much greater blessing than what you are looking for.” — Prophet TB Joshua
You can receive healing, breakthrough, and promotion and still not know the voice of your Master.
This is why many Christians are easily misled:
They move based on results, not revelation.
They follow open doors, not divine direction.
They assume improvement is always endorsement.
Prophet TB Joshua says:
“We must not base our faith on our improvement after prayer”
What Happens When We Truly Listen?
When we develop the discipline of listening in prayer, several things happen:
🕊️ We Mature in Faith
We begin to trust God not just for outcomes, but for understanding.
🕊️ We Grow in Discernment
We stop running after “miracles” and start walking in daily direction.
🕊️ We Rest in His Sovereignty
Even when the storm continues, we are anchored in peace because we’ve heard from Him.
🕊️ We Align With His Will
Listening helps us align our desires with God’s perfect plan, ensuring that our prayers are in harmony with His purpose.
🕊️ We Experience Deeper Intimacy
As we listen, we draw closer to God, experiencing a relationship that goes beyond requests to true communion.
🕊️ We Receive Clarity and Confidence
Hearing from God removes confusion and doubt, replacing them with clarity and confidence in His guidance.
What Must We Do?
Here are four practical ways to shift from prayer performance to prayer partnership with God:
1. Pray With the Word, Not Just With Words
Let the Word of God shape your prayers. Pray Scripture, not sentiment.
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…” — Colossians 3:16
2. Pause After You Pray
Don’t rush off. Stay silent. Let God impress His will on your spirit.
“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” — 1 Samuel 3:10
3. Write What You Hear In Your Conscience
Even if you’re unsure, journal what you believe God is whispering to your heart. Revisit it later in prayer.
4. Accept That It May Not Go The WaY You Expect
Sometimes what we call denial is actually divine preservation.
🔥 Final Word: Let Your Prayer Be a Place of Revelation, Not Just Requests
“True prayer is not shouting louder.It is listening deeper.”
So next time you kneel, don’t rush. Don’t just send requests—stay still enough to receive instructions.
Sit back in faith. Wait for the light. Don’t just ask—be available to obey.
Listen—because what God has to say is greater than what you came to ask.
“The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.” — Habakkuk 2:20
God does not respond to tantrums, but to trust.
🙏 Prayer of Surrender
“Lord, I confess that I have often prayed out of pride, frustration, and impatience. Forgive me. Teach me to sit still in Your presence. Help me to lay down my demands and pick up Your desires. I don’t just want answers; I want You. I don’t just want a miracle; I want direction. Teach me to hear Your voice and to walk in Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Good Morning 🌄 and PROSPER ✨ today!
“The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth…” — John 4:23
Let this blog stir your spirit. Share it with someone who needs to hear this today, and continue your walk with God in deeper intimacy at www.spiritworshipgen.org.
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References
🌿Do You Pray to Hear or Just to Be Heard?
GOSW:🌿Do You Pray to Hear or Just to Be Heard?
Published by SpiritWorshipGen – A Generation of Spiritual Worshippers