Session Two Recap

Dave started this session with the question: “When you pray how do you expect the answer to come?” There’s usually two expectations of an answer. One being that you’ll get what you ask for in a very clear manner. The other option is a big sudden inspiration from God. But a response is not that conventional and a lot of the time we’re not able or willing to listen to Him.

This brings us to the third way that God responds to our prayers: Look for him in unexpected places and listen for Him in unexpected ways. We might need to adjust how we listen and we’d be surprised at the way He’s speaking.

Dave told the story of Elijah wanting an answer to prayer in a big way. God shows him massive wind, an earthquake and fire and follows all of those dramatic big events with a whisper. Sometimes God doesn’t respond in an earthquake but rather a whisper. The only way you can hear Him is if you’re paying very, very close attention.

This brings up the importance of good moments of solitude and silence. It’s so hard in our fast pass society to sit still for any amount of time. No distractions, just quiet. All of us have packed schedules and have something more to do, a place to be, a person to call, but yet God wants us to have those moments so that we can hear Him when he’s speaking in a calm whisper.

Have you ever had something happen before that made stop and think hmmm…what was that all about? A late night thought that grabs at you from deep within your heart, a friend who calls you out on a difficult situation or that you’re suddenly surrounded by individuals who are loving you like no one else ever has before. You may not recognize Jesus, so pay careful attention. People are brought into your life to walk with you.

Dave shared a powerful song with us from Ronnie Freeman. Here are some of the words of the song:
Who knows how he’ll get a hold of us
Get our attention to prove He is enough
He’ll do and He’ll use whatever He wants
To tell us, I love you
God is speaking, I love you
And though sometimes strange
What could be stronger than God in a manger

The other major point Dave brought up as to why we can’t hear God sometimes is that: what if somehow it’s related to you sin? Dave was afraid of bringing this point up but felt he couldn’t ignore it. You have to be careful with how you interpret this. Dave was referring to persistent patterns of selfishness or persistent non-care for others. It’s the kind of sin that shuts off God. It’s selfish, demanding…”selfish pig” is how Dave referred to it.

If you’re not sure whether you’re acting this way, ask those around you…they’ll tell you. Look at how you pray and see if your prayers are all about you all of the time, that you don’t care about the rest of the world or you are persistently hanging onto sin. If this is the case just come to God and be honest and open with Him. Say, “I’m sorry that I have been so selfish” and listen carefully for God’s response.

Small group times were powerful for many groups after this session. My group went through an entire box of tissue as the discussion wrestled with so many of the struggles they are all going through and waiting for God to show up.

The session ended in worship and these words rang throughout the room…
I need words as wide as the sky
I need a voice that’s bigger than mine
I need a song to sing to You that I’ve yet to find
I need You, I need You