Lesson 7: Can God Hear Your Voice?

“Pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Our relationship with Jesus means we talk with Him every day – this is called prayer.

Recently I was driving while listening to a College Student Prayer Conference Call over the speaker in my car. Most of the time, it turns into 45 minutes of prayer. On this night when I heard my son’s voice, three things happened at the same moment!
Tears of joy sprang forth from my eyes.
I heard the voice of our Heavenly Father over my own voice saying, “That's my son!”
God gave me inexplicable joy. This is the same joy our Father experiences when we, His children, cry out loud to Him in prayer. This joy felt like a drumbeat of rolling thunder through my heart, mind, and soul.

What is the best way to learn to do anything right? Would you learn to ride a bike, play football or cook a meal by reading about how to do them? No, you would practice! Like these activities, the best way to learn how to pray is to pray. In James 5:16 we are given the commandment to “pray for one another.” A teaching on prayer I love says, “Few are called to preach, but all are called to pray!” The instruction from James is addressed to every believer in Jesus. So, if you are reading this, then you are called by God to pray.


A simple way to pray throughout your day is to “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Our verse above is another instruction to pray. Those two simple words, “thank you,” are a key to virtually every person’s heart, and it can give you the opportunity to pray for people. Let me explain in just one instance. Whenever I board a plane, I look at the flight attendants standing in the cabin entrance in their eyes, smile and say, “I want to say thank you to you both for serving in the skies today. God bless you.” You can do this with anyone, simply from your heart ask, "If there was one thing I could pray now for you personally, what would it be?"

This question has allowed me to share Jesus with so many people! When we work, we work, but when we pray, God works! In the next 24 hours, God brought three people to Himself because of this question. Now, salvation does not come with every person you pray for. However, the more people you pray for, the more you will see God heal, encourage, and set free from worry.

Will you commit to saying an intentional "thank you" to five people a day and then asking the "one thing" question of at least two of those people a day?

Pray: “Lord, let me use this lesson as a way to grow in my prayer life. Also, give me the courage to ask more people the ONE THING question and share of your saving grace. Amen.”
Suggested scriptures to read: Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 37:1-7
Memorize: Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.”