Monday Prayer: Learning to Listen

Father, you speak in whispers and shouts, in silence and storms, in scripture and circumstances. Your voice is the one I most need to hear, but I'm often too busy talking to listen. You have words for me if I'll only be still enough to receive them.

I filled the air with so many words today that I left no room for yours. I talked over people instead of listening to them, made noise when I should have made space. I've been quick to give advice and slow to ask questions, eager to be heard but reluctant to truly hear. Thank you for speaking anyway - through a friend's wisdom, a verse that jumped off the page, a moment of unexpected peace. Thank you for being patient with my chatter while waiting for quiet moments to whisper truth.

Teach me the holy art of listening - to you, to others, to the needs around me. Help me hear your voice above the noise of my own agenda. Give me courage to sit in silence without filling it, to ask questions without rushing to answers. Tonight, I quiet my heart to listen for your voice. Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.