Two-Way Conversation

Two-Way Conversation

Psalm 17:3, 6 (NLT®)

You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. … I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.

They are common characters in television comedies: those people who just keep talking and talking, oblivious to the fact that they are completely dominating the conversation. But it’s not so funny when we pray that way. We can be so busy talking to God that we don’t give Him an opportunity to speak. We can be so focused on giving Him our lists—our urgent list, our wish list, our preferred method list—that we don’t allow time to listen to what He has to say. David knew that effective prayer is not a one-way speech but a two-way conversation. He knew that God would test his thoughts and examine his motives. David also knew he could trust God to hear him and speak into his life. Perhaps this is one of the reasons Paul could say in Acts 13:22, “God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”

THINK ABOUT IT

We often think we should be speaking, and God should be listening and responding. But what might happen if we sat quietly and let God speak—then humbled ourselves enough to listen and respond?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me recognize that You do answer prayers. Give me the ability to be still enough to listen for Your voice. Grant me a humble and receptive heart, so I recognize Your invitations and choose to cooperate. Today, I humble myself so You might be honored through my words, my hearing, and my actions. In Jesus’ name, amen.