As one of the most important and dynamic facets of Christian faith, prayer is at the forefront of many ministries, sermons, books, and meetings. The purpose of prayer is to release the government of the Kingdom that earth would indeed be as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10). But prayer also serves the purpose of drawing our hearts closer to the Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb 12:2). Depth in connection to the Lord through prayer is the result of our hearts coming humbly before Him, listening to His heart, and then asking that His will be done (Phil 4:6). But this process is entirely contingent upon one key step: listening. We will only know what the Lord wants to do in a given situation or area if we ask and then listen.

So often, we delve into prayer asking that the Lord would move on our behalf, bring provision and restoration, be our strength and comfort. All of these things are good, and the heart of the Lord is for all of these things. But this is only scratching the surface of what prayer is, what it can be. There is a greater depth to be achieved in the place of prayer and it is accessed as we listen to the Lord.

Dear saints, He so eagerly desires to dialogue with our hearts, to tell us what He is thinking and feeling (Deut 32:1-2) (Ps 25:5). The Lord longs to dream with his children. This can only happen if we come into His presence and listen. When we do come before the Lord and listen to what He is saying, we position our hearts to pray from a place of greater wisdom and authority (1 John 5:14). Power, transformation, and glorification of Jesus will be the result of our prayers.

I was reminded of this reality at a prayer meeting earlier this week. Pacing back and forth across the room, I stilled my heart before the Lord and asked what he was thinking and feeling about my local church. The answer I received was not one that I was expecting. With words full of love, I felt the Lord say that His heart was grieved over different areas in the church where complacency had been allowed to take root. Convinced that the Lord would only give me an answer that would make me happy, I asked my question again. And again, I received the same answer. While it would have been great to have heard the Lord speak something to me about starting a new outreach or baking muffins to encourage a pastor, by asking the Lord what He was thinking and feeling about my church, listening to His answers, and taking them to heart, I was made aware of the places the Lord wanted bring about a renewed passion and zeal for His Son. Immediate room for growth and targeted transformation was made. How much more powerful, albeit less easy, was this answer as opposed to asking the Lord to bring peace or joy to the people in my church.

And so, while it is not always easy, not always convenient, not alway fun, it is imperative, Dear Saints, that we listen. We must listen to what Holy Spirit is saying about the Son who reveals the Father. We must listen and respond accordingly for this will release our hearts into a position where we can grow and thrive.