Ask and Then Listen Closely

In today's psalm, we pray that God will guide us, and in the Gospel, Jesus pretty much does exactly that: He lays out the law of Love for how we are to live out our lives. (Luke 6:27-38) This felt like an ask-and-receive moment, and what this makes me realize is how often I ask God for something and then I don't do what He tells me to do next. Either I don't continue to follow Him, or I stop short after my prayer and don't listen for His response.

In these scenarios, I'm sort of stalling the process. He's going to lead me. He's always with me. He's waiting for me to listen and He's waiting for me to take action on what He's saying. I just need to give Him that time, and to mean it when I ask Him to guide me—to ultimately be open to His answer and His will, however painful that might be (like loving your enemy).

A few years ago when I was in the midst of some of my greatest suffering—which was mostly physical—I remember praying over and over again for relief. I was so consumed by this prayer that I didn't give God much more time after that prayer. That prayer felt heavy enough for me. What I didn't realize, though, was the levity He wanted to offer if I only sat with Him a little more after that prayer so that I could hear and feel His love for me in that moment, and His guidance in my suffering.

Today I'm praying for God's guidance, and I'm going to give Him a few more minutes after that prayer to listen to Him, and to be open to His will, and see what He has to say. I'm going to invite you to do the same, Sister!

Today I'm praying for God's guidance, and I'm going to give Him a few more minutes after that prayer to listen to Him, and to be open to His will, and see what He has to say.Click to tweet

Heavenly Father, teach me to slow down, to be open to Your will, and to heed Your voice in my heart.

Annie Deddens is a writer and producer. She runs a prayer ministry with her husband, called Pray More Novenas. She has a heart for the sick & suffering, and she writes about living with greater faith (hope & love, too) in this imperfect world as a Catholic wife. You can find out more about her here.