March Listening Questions

a list of listening questions...

I’ve been sharing these monthly “listening questions” for awhile now. My intention in calling them “listening questions” was that they would be a springboard for a conversation with God. That we would ask them in God’s presence and listen for His response.

Last week I shared that I’ve had a harder time hearing God lately. I had both gotten out of the habit of listening and I’d been filling my ears with too much noise, too much distraction.

I was engaging these listening questions that I shared with you monthly, but I’m realizing that I’ve been using them more as questions that invite reflection. I’ve even written them in a way that inspires reflection over conversation. I’ve been calling introspection prayer.

There’s nothing wrong with questions that inspire reflection and introspection. It’s good to look deep within yourself and wonder. I’ve just been forgetting the point of these questions I began sharing years ago. They are not just for reflecting on our lives, they are for making space to encounter God. To hear from the One who knows us and our life and our circumstances better than we do. To reflect with God.

As I’ve been disconnecting to reconnect, I’ve been picking back up the rhythm of asking God a question and then listening for His response.

Practically, this is what it looks like for me:

In a small notebook, I have a list of good questions to ask God that I’ve gathered throughout the years. In the morning as I’m planning my day (and sometimes during my quiet lunches), I close my eyes and run my finger down the list. At some point I stop and open my eyes. The question I’m pointing to is the one I ask God.

To help make sure I’m not just reflecting and instead listening for God’s response, I bring my image of Him to mind (maybe even imagining Him sitting at the table with me) and I ask the question. Then I wait for His response. Whatever comes to mind that sounds like something God might say, I jot down. Then I ask it again. Or I ask for Him to elaborate or clarify until the question feels answered.

Then I go on with my day. And I come back to these questions as I harvest the week.

This month’s listening questions will look a little different than most months. Instead of sharing a few questions (and my responses) I’m going to share an assortment of questions taken from my notebook so that you might use them to connect with God if it feels helpful. I’m finding specific questions help me hear more clearly rather than broad ones (like “what do you want me to know?”). Maybe you too? If so, give these a try:

• God, whose voice holds my closest attention?

• What comes to mind, Lord, when you think of me?

• God, what is my role in your present activity?

• How do I become the answer to your prayers, Jesus?

• What am I not seeing? What am I not hearing?

• God, what are you readying in my life?

• What’s the expression on your face when you think of me?

• What does love look like?

• Am I holding onto something that needs to be released?

• How can I better be with you each day?

• How are you causing my life to benefit others?

• Where am I apprehensive to obey you?

• How would you like to spend time with me, God?

• What could I do today that would bring you joy?

• Are my prayers big enough?

• What prayer are you answering in my life right now?

• What do you want me to remember right now?

• What questions should I be asking you in this season? (this question is one I come back to a lot and then I use the questions God gives me for my daily listening questions)

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Some quick links:

• Get the Good Question guide here.

• If you are interested in spiritual direction you can check out some FAQs here.

• If you’re ready to schedule a meeting, you can do so here. (Remember, first sessions are free for subscribers of spacemaking!)

• If you’re interested in retreats, you can get more info here.

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And may you encounter the God who loves you as you make space in your schedule and your soul!