How do we measure growth in prayer? It’s a difficult question because prayer isn’t a task to accomplish or a skill to master. Prayer is a relationship. Relationships grow not through measurable outcomes but through deepening trust, honesty, and presence.
One way to evaluate our growth is by reflecting on how we are listening for God’s voice. Prayer is more than speaking; it’s about creating space to hear what God might be saying. This requires cultivating habits of silence, attentiveness, and reflection.
Listening well in prayer often results in several shifts:
1. Deeper Honesty
As we grow in prayer, we often find that our conversations with God become more authentic. We’re less concerned with saying the “right” things and more willing to bring our full selves—our joys, fears, doubts, and anger.
2. Increased Awareness of God’s Activity
Listening in prayer helps us notice where God is already at work in our lives and communities. This might come as a sense of conviction about a decision, a renewed compassion for someone we’ve struggled with, or a peace that surprises us.
3. A Willingness to Wait
Growth in prayer also teaches us patience. We begin to trust that God is present even when we don’t have clarity or answers. Waiting becomes less about frustration and more about faith.
To measure growth in listening, try these practices:
- Review Your Prayers : After a time of prayer, reflect on what surfaced. Did a specific word, image, or memory come to mind? How might God be speaking through it?
- Invite Feedback : Share what you sense God might be saying with a spiritual companion. They can offer insights or confirm patterns you might not recognize on your own.
- Return to Scripture : Scripture often helps us discern God’s voice. Are there passages that resonate with what you’re hearing in prayer? How might they affirm or challenge your reflections?
Listening in prayer requires humility and trust. As we grow, we begin to see how God’s voice shapes not just our prayers but our entire lives.
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