"Many people are looking for an ear that will listen. They do not find it among Christians, because these Christians are talking where they should be listening. But he who can no longer listen to his bother will soon be no longer listening to God either; he will be doing nothing but prattle in the presence of God too. This is the beginning of the death of the spiritual life, and in the end there is nothing left but spiritual chatter and clerical condescension arrayed in pious words. "One who cannot listen long and patiently will presently be talking beside the point and be never really speaking to others, albeit he be not conscious of it. Anyone who thinks that his time is too valuable to spend keeping quiet will eventually have no time for God and his brother, but only for himself and for his own follies" Dietrich Bonhoeffer A man once said that he noticed that when he was talking he didn't learn anything. Truly listening, to God or others, is a rare quality. I have noticed that the silent ones are usually the wise ones. When we pray to bring our petitions to the King of kings, should we not also allow Him time to speak to us? Intercession is also about having the patience and focus to first listen to Him. This would very often change , or at least modify, our petitions. It's not just prayer, but effective prayer that counts, He said that it is the prayer that is according to His will that gets answered.

Posted by Rick Joyner at 2024-03-21 11:32:34 UTC