Many articles about hearing God’s voice start by trying to convince you that you can, indeed, hear God’s voice.  I’m not going to try and convince you.  If you need a verse, here’s a few:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

“Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.” (John 8:47a)

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints.” (Psalm 85:8a)

“Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15)

Those who know God have the opportunity to hear His voice and even have conversations with Him.  Jesus came and died to repair the broken relationship of the fall of mankind, so that we could once again have relationship with the Father (Romans 5:8).  But sometimes, it can be difficult for us to tap into this relationship in terms of hearing God’s voice.  Here are a few ways that we can prime ourselves to hear what God is saying or to begin to hear God’s voice.

1. Remember what God has done

Remembering how God has blessed you, the miracles and amazing things He’s done in your life, and the good things He has done for others (from things in the Bible to modern-day miracles) can help open the communication between yourself and God.

2. Remember times God led or spoke to you

Again, remembering can help to open up communication – or at least remind you that God does speak to you and loves to do so.

3. Recognize that God speaks through impressions and pictures as well as verbally

God often speaks to me with images and movies on the screen of my imaginations, as well as through sensing (impressions) and words in my mind.  Only rarely do I hear a physical voice or a voice in my brain.

3. Ask God to give you a scripture

God speaks through His word.  Ask Him to give you a reference or a passage of scripture.

4. Ask God for a random thought

This looks like an impression or words in your mind that didn’t come from you.  Sometimes it can be difficult to know what is you and what is God; practice can help.

5. Journal with God

This is like a question-and-answer game.  Write down a question and then ask it to God.  (A good one to start with is, “God, what do you think about me?”)  Then write down His response.

6. Imagine Christ

Some people find it useful to imagine that they are with Jesus, then ask Him a question.

7. Ask God to interpret a portion of Scripture

Go to a verse or passage of the Bible, read it, and ask God what He is saying to you through it.

These are just a few ways to help you begin to hear God’s voice.  Remember, He is speaking to you, and He is very willing to help you hear what He is saying.