A Prayer about Listening to God

Speaking Lord, 

as we begin this week, 

many of us think about the work we need to do.

What if we began instead 

by thinking of prayer as our most important work?

And then, what if we began our prayer 

by listening to you 

rather than listing our many needs? 

Not that you don’t invite us 

to present all of our requests before you (Philippians 4: 6),

But too often we fail to see prayer as 

“answering God,” 

as Eugene Peterson put it. 

Today, let us begin by listening to a few things 

you’ve told us in your Word:

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, 

and the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind” (Isaiah 65:1).

[Remain quiet and dwell on these words God has spoken to you].

“But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; 

for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, 

and her people to be a gladness.”

[Remain quiet and listen to God speaking his joy and gladness over you.]

“I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; 

no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.”

[Remain quiet and imagine the day of no more weeping and distress.]

Lord, may our prayers become more quiet. 

Make us attentive listeners, 

curious to hear what you have to say to us. 

As we hear your voice, 

through your Word, through general revelation, 

and through your Spirit, 

make our hearts beat more regularly 

to the rhythm of your grace and glory. 

In the name of the Word-Made-Flesh, Jesus our Savior. Amen.

Read Isaiah 65:17-25.