contemporary prayers for today
listening prayer
When it comes to listening to God in prayer, let us pause and consider some wise words from Mother Teresa:-
"Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts."
Too often we come to God with a long list of what we believe God should be doing for us. However, when Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he began with where we focus our hearts - to God in adoration and worship - "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name...". Only when we have spent time drawing near to God, lingering in His presence, can we have perspective on what we desire to see change in the world.
This page has three prayers to help with guided listening to God. We suggest that with the first prayer you pause after each paragraph to wait on God and be still in His presence. The next two prayers (the “Serenity Prayer” and “Short Prayer for Clarity and Guidance”) ask God for wisdom and direction in life. Further down there are also some inspiring bible quotes about listening to reflect on.
Listening prayer
Heavenly Father,
I wait upon you.
I pause, still my mind and still my heart.
I wait upon you.
I stop, and listen beyond the everyday.
I wait upon you.
I rest, and allow my soul to have space.
I wait upon you.
Quiet, at rest, held.
I wait upon you.
And call Abba, Abba Father.
I know you have searched me, and you know me.
I know you are the beginning and the end.
I know you are the Redeemer.
I wait upon you,
Allowing your grace to penetrate my whole being.
And in this place, close, protected and eternal
I find that this grace renews my strength,
Wipes away my tears,
And promises new hope.
I wait upon you.
Heavenly Father,
I wait upon you.
I pause, still my mind and still my heart.
I wait upon you.
I stop, and listen beyond the everyday.
I wait upon you.
I rest, and allow my soul to have space.
I wait upon you.
Quiet, at rest, held.
I wait upon you.
And call Abba, Abba Father.
I know you have searched me, and you know me.
I know you are the beginning and the end.
I know you are the Redeemer.
I wait upon you,
Allowing your grace to penetrate my whole being.
And in this place, close, protected and eternal
I find that this grace renews my strength,
Wipes away my tears,
And promises new hope.
I wait upon you.
A Prayer for Wisdom
Short prayer for clarity and guidance
Lord,
Let faith be my guide
Let hope be my map
Let love be my measure
That is all I need.
Amen.
Lord,
Let faith be my guide
Let hope be my map
Let love be my measure
That is all I need.
Amen.
Prayer for Guidance
A contemporary prayer for direction and guidance from God, with images of restful and beautiful waterfalls:-
"I stop, and listen beyond the everyday"
listening to God in the bible
"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you."
(Revelation 3:20, MSG)
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry"
(James 1:19, NIV)
"Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say:
‘No one can live only on food.
People need every word
that God has spoken.’”"
(Matthew 4:4 , CEV)