“How long will you forget me O Lord? Forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” Have your prayers ever felt like those of this psalmist David in Psalm 13:1?
I would be a liar if I were to say that, “Oh, I’ve always heard from the Lord.” The truth? I haven’t.
I recently received a message that said something that I think many people have asked before. Have your thoughts ever been like this reader? “I would like to put in a request…. what about those times you go to spend that quiet time to refill & refuel but you feel like you’re talking to the ceiling or the Word is like a closed book to you. Or the house is quiet but your mind isn’t. Refueling on limited quiet time. What to do when you’re trying to press in to God but it seems in vain?”
First let me say, time spent in the Word, prayer or even trying to fellowship with the Holy Spirit is NEVER, and I’ll say it again, N.E.V.E.R. in vain. Planting the Word in a heart that desires and longs to know God, know His will, know His heart, that my friend is fertile soil!
Step 1: A few things come to mind When God Seems Silent. If I found myself in this place, I know exactly what I would do first. I’m sure you all have already done something like this… I would open up my journal and begin to read back over the pages, the days, weeks and months where I had written each morning what I felt pressed on my heart from the Holy Spirit. I would not just be pleasure reading, but reading for a KEY. Has the Holy Spirit directed me to do something that I still have not done? Have I delayed? Have I forgotten? Or am I just walking in disobedience because I do not want to do whatever it is I have been directed to do? Upon finding anything I was directed to do and realizing I DID NOT DO IT, I would begin the process of obedience, and complete whatever the Holy Spirit had directed.
Having done that…. if I find myself at a place where I feel like I have not missed anything, but I have indeed done all the things the Holy Spirit has directed…. then, I move on.
Step 2… Begin to press in. There are several ways to do this and in different levels of intensity. From just continuing to have a Quiet Time in the morning or to the extent of going on a Fast. It all depends how much we desire to break the silence and re-open the communication. I recently wrote a post about How To Have a Quiet Time, and after taking a few moments to journal, I literally sit there, in silence, and wait. I begin to write down WHATEVER I feel is impressed upon me, W H A T E V E R. If it seems so cloudy, that may mean starting with a question, and then being silent, “Holy Spirit, I desire to hear from you. Are you there?” Then, wait.
Wait.
And wait.
Close your eyes if it helps. Have a pen and paper ready.
And listen.
This is what I hear, maybe you will hear something similar.
My child, I am here. And I desire to talk to you. Where would you like to start?
And then, go at it. Ask Him a question. Let the flow occur. Let your pen be loose. If it is unnatural, or not a normal practice, journaling what you hear may seem weird at first…. and you may even get a mix of your own thoughts, and those that seem to be coming from the Holy Spirt, and THAT’S OK. If it looks something like this (because distraction bumps you out of focus, it does that to all of us at times… that’s ok), “Good morning my daughter. Ooooh, I need to get sour cream from the grocery store. Oh man, I’m trying to focus, not think about groceries. Sorry Lord, please talk. I’m trying to focus. That’s ok. Don’t forget your sour cream, and also your out of red onions too….”
Friend, it’s different for everyone, but I HIGHLY recommend making a priority in SITTING QUIETLY and listening! The power in LISTENING truly is a game changer!
If after a few days, and there still does not seem like a breakthrough, I know a GREAT book called, Fasting! In fact, a New York Times best seller from my pastor, Jentzen Franklin. Fasting is a way to help you press in to God to experience breakthrough. We have fasted many times and have received breakthrough in our business, finances, relationships, and more. It’s a great next step.
I truly believe that God does not desire to be silent in our lives. Let’s continue to press in to Him and hear the BEST He has in store for our lives!
Be blessed friends. Please share with me, what have you done when God has seemed silent? I would love to hear your tips! Please share. 🙂