Listening: the other half of prayer

A thoughtful post from Joyce Tomblin:

In recent years, and mostly because of the influence of my now departed friend and sister, Cyndi Anderson, I’ve come to better understand my need for regular reflection on my life and the need to be deliberate in setting aside time for it.  For me Lent provides a time for this.  While I grew up thinking that Lent was purely a ritual for Catholic folks, I can see now that was shallow and judgmental thinking on my part.  That change in my thinking has allowed me to look at the customs of others to see how I might benefit from at least the spirit behind the custom.

So for Lent this year, I’m going to try to give up “talking.”  I want to practice more silence, more listening instead of talking – more listening to God, to others and to my own internal voice.  Recently, I heard someone say that prayer is a conversation, and half of a conversation is listening.  I want to do a better job of talking to God and hearing what he has to say, not just telling him how I feel or asking him for what I want.  I think talking to him is important, but hearing from him is definitely as important if not more.

Listening is harder for me, partially because I like to talk.  Sometimes when I’m talking I do benefit from actually hearing what I am saying.  Sometimes I am even convicted to make changes in my life because of what I am hearing myself say.  Wow!  God can even talk to me through me!  But I realize that there is much more to be learned than just what I might say.  So… I need to listen, especially to God as he speaks to me through his word and through others and whatever other ways he might use. 

Dear Lord,

Help me daily to set aside time to be quiet and to listen carefully to all that you have to say to me.  And as I hear you speak, give me courage and strength to obey.

Through Jesus,
Amen