Is Talking to God a One way Conversation?

It may be that way for many Christians, but no, it's not one way communication. Also, do you realize that not only can you hear God, but he wants to talk to you.

And there is a difference between knowing God and knowing about God.

Well, it seems to be like that for me and most Christians I know (apart from people on this forum.) I've started just talking to God and assuming He's listening; the response doesn't worry me too much nowdays, at it's too frustrating to expect one.

JTM3 said:

Do you believe that we can have an intimate relationship with the Father now, on earth, in the temporal?

Do you believe that this relationship consits of simply reading His Word (as some do) or actually talking to and hearing back from (in our hearts[spirits]) God, as though you were actually having a conversation with someone?

Back in High School, my Doctrine/Ethics professor seemed to believe (at least this is how I interpreted it) that having a daily relationship with God means reading His Word on a daily basis.

Coming from the "WoF camp" and hearing preachers like Jesse Duplantis and reading his book "Wanting a God You Can Talk To", I am more inclined to believe that we can hear from God today.

So, is God a God we can talk to or does reading His Word constitute a relationship with the Father?

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I believe we can definitely hear from God today. Not all of our situations and things are in the Bible. We need God's help today. That is why we have the Holy Spirit... Our helper and teacher. How can He teach if He doesn't say anything?

I pray and most of the time, I do hear back. God's a friend. He speaks and I speak back. And yeah, a lot of times He's the one to speak up before I do. He speaks in many different ways so a lot of people need to learn how to discern when it's Him and not other things though.

JTM3 said:

So, is God a God we can talk to or does reading His Word constitute a relationship with the Father?

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It is definately a 2-way conversation.. as is my prayer too..

He talks with me and guides me.. now this might seem strange, but I hear from Him a lot in the mornings.. when I am taking my shower and drying my hair.. I think that is because my mind is really "still" at that time.. empty of all other day to day thought.. and He uses that time to give me answers to my questions..

He also speaks to me in my dreams.. like when He woke me up twice on a Saturday night to say "take up your cross & follow me.." only to have me turn on my PC in the morning.. open E-Sword.. and have Matthew 16:24 pop up as the random verse..

Prayer is not meant to be a monologue (God I want, this, need that and thanks for this.....

But a dialouge between ourselves and God. We can talk but it is more important we take time to listen....think about ig God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth....dont you suppose we should listen to Him and the people in our lives twice as much as we talk?

When I have a quiet time I invite God to speak to me, through His word, as well as in my heart. Sometimes I pray and hear God reply....Sometimes He seems silent. more often then not I feel impressed to look up a certain passage and find it is a rhema word for the time and season of my life. I tend to hear God best when Im in worship....or quiet moments when I least expect it

Of course it's two way, else it's not a conversation.
Give God some times to talk back to you. I love it most when He talks, everything become so special!
He created voices, He too can talk...

I agree that it's important that we have two-way conversations with God, but I also spend a good deal of time reading the Bible. I find that the Holy Spirit speaks to me almost daily through my reading. What part does that play in your conversations?

Ah the Holy Spirit is the Best, He even talk to me while working, just some days ago, He said to me add that things on the database, and my knowledge says nop...guess what that things was needed to be added, and I hear "What did I say to you.Lol" Haha, He's da best in everything.

I definitely thinks He speaks to us. Not only through His Word, but through our circumstances, through other Spirit-Filled Christians, through our pastor, and even in that still, small voice. Sometimes in a quiet moment, I have this conversation in my head, as if God were speaking in my thoughts. I get things that I don't think would have never come up with in my own carnal mind. Solutions or direction or convictions that seem to pop up. Call it the voice of conscience or voice of reason, but maybe God even speaks there, because it is usually right. I even find myself arguing with it, or asking what I should do.

Disclaimer: If this is the voice of God, I think it comes in clearer when we have immersed ourselves in the Word of God. There is scriptural precedence for this:

"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ." - I Corinthians 2:11-16

Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God! I will be praised among the nations, I will be praised in the earth.


Hush, be still God is here. We need to learn to be quiet, to allow God to speak to us, before reading our Bibles ask God to speak to us through His word. At the start of a new day ask God's blessing on it..Prayer is the excitement of encountering God. prayer is the Christian's vital breath.
How does God speak to us? It's not always in the same way, we are all individuals, sometimes it will be in a forceful way, sometimes through dreams and sometimes through a still small voice, sometimes he speaks to us through an appreciation of Nature around us, His glorious creation.

God likes to hear our prayers.

1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears open to their prayers. But the Lord's face is against those who do evil.

The answer to our prayer problems comes from the help of a person, the person of the Holy Spirit, He wants to become our personal prayer partner. He is actually the spirit of prayer, a prayer partner who makes connecting with God possible and powerful!

Jude 20 "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit."

Ephesians 6:18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Romans 8:26,27 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

The Holy Spirit stirs us to pray!

If the truth be known —Sometimes we think prayer is our idea, as something we initiate.
Prayer for many people is something we have to do to get God's attention and hopefully God will intervene.
Prayer doesn't start with us knocking on God's door, it starts with God knocking on our door!
D
Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Do you see He wants to sup with you, to eat with you, to be part of your life 24/7.
He wants to have a real relationship with you and that requires two way communication.

The Holy Spirit stirs us to fellowshipping prayer and fighting prayer.

Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Do you realize that our greatest battles aren't physical, financial or relational? Our greatest battles are spiritual!

2Co 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. There are times when the Holy Spirit wants to stirs us to stand in the gap for someone or something , to go to battle in prayer, to fight or wrestle for God's will to be done!


The Holy Spirit Strengthens us to Pray!

Rom 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

The Holy Spirit Energizes Us.

Rom 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

This isn't simply a promise of life after we die, it's the promise that we can be overcomers in this life!

Why could Jesus pray throughout the night while his disciples couldn't pray for an hour?

Jesus answers this – See Mat 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." On their own the disciples didn't have the energy, physically or mentally to persist in prayer and stay in the battle, neither do we.

2Co 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Do you see how it is the Holy Spirit who does the energizing, He gives us the energy to persist in prayer.

The Holy Spirit enlightens us as regards what to pray for, and how to pray.

Rom 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

If we'll pray asking what to pray for , the Holy Spirit will burden us with what God wants us to pray for!
The Holy Spirit strengthens us by engaging us in prayer!
“He helps us in our weakness.”

Lastly here the Holy Spirit stands with us in Prayer.

See above Romans 8:26 again. He expresses for us what we cannot express. See verse twenty-two.

Rom 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. The Holy Spirit in us makes deep intercession as we submit to Him in prayer, asking for His help in praying as we ought. If you or I say Father, I don't know how to pray aright. Spirit of the Living God, please help me to pray, and you cry out to Him. The Holy Spirit moving in your heart just takes those expressible, unutterable, non-articulate desires and carries them to the throne and He prays for us, instead of us, He prays together with us.

Job 33:26 he shall pray to God, and He will be gracious to him; and he shall see His face with joy, for He will restore to man his righteousness.


God promises to hear our prayers.

2Ch 7:14 if My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2Ch 7:15 Now My eyes shall be open, and My ears shall be open to the prayer of this place.

Does God always answer prayer?

Joh 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.

Luk 11:9 And I say to you, Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you.

Psa 91:14 Because He has set His love on Me, therefore I will deliver Him; I will set Him on high, because He has known My name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call on Me, and I will answer Him; I will be with Him in trouble; I will deliver Him, and honor Him.
Psa 91:16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.

Sometimes God's answer is no, or not at the moment. but, he will always answer our prayers in some way.

2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me.

How to pray.

Mat 6:5 And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:6 But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.
Mat 6:7 But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations. For they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard.
Mat 6:8 Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him.
Mat 6:9 Therefore pray in this way: Our Father, who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Mat 6:10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread;
Mat 6:12 and forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.


Joining with others in prayer.

Mat 18:19 Again I say to you that if two of you shall agree on earth as regarding anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by My Father in Heaven.


We are commanded to pray and give thanks to God

1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.


We have the Holy Spirit to help us pray.

Gal 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.


Prayers should be offered up:

IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

Eph 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.


IN ASSURANCE OF FAITH

Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies having been washed with pure water.

WITH THE HEART

Jer 29:13 And you shall seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.


Psa 119:58 I looked for Your favor with all my heart; be merciful to me according to Your Word.

WITH CONFIDENCE THAT GOD WILL HEAR OUR PRAYERS

Jo 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1Jo 5:15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.


WITH BOLDNESS

Heb 4:16 Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

So, Let's go boldly before the throne of Grace in our time of prayer. Prayer is also about worship and praise but i will look at them another time. We have a God who answers prayer

Prayer is dialogue, not monologue.

Engaging in a personal relationship with God is the first and most important step in initiating spiritual intimacy. Two-way relationship with God requires our submission, obedience and love to Him. When I read my Bible, I understand that Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross provides the basis for my salvation and the foundation for me to pursue a life that reflects Christ. The Bible gives me principles and guidelines to live a life of godliness. It is my conviction that God’s design for me is to be radically TRANSFORMED by the renewing of my mind. (Romans 12:2) My hope for this radical transformation is by the POWER of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) The goal of this pursuit and transformation is that I GROW in my knowledge and relationship with Christ. Humility is putting God first in our prayers while pride is putting God last in our prayers. In Matthew 6:9-13 deals with the first half focusing on God, His will and plans before coming to our personal petitions. God does not always say yes to every prayer even though we expect Him to do so. We are not to have faith in prayer but rather have faith in God and His character.

JimfromOhio said:

Engaging in a personal relationship with God is the first and most important step in initiating spiritual intimacy. Two-way relationship with God requires our submission, obedience and love to Him. When I read my Bible, I understand that Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross provides the basis for my salvation and the foundation for me to pursue a life that reflects Christ. The Bible gives me principles and guidelines to live a life of godliness. It is my conviction that God’s design for me is to be radically TRANSFORMED by the renewing of my mind. (Romans 12:2) My hope for this radical transformation is by the POWER of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) The goal of this pursuit and transformation is that I GROW in my knowledge and relationship with Christ. Humility is putting God first in our prayers while pride is putting God last in our prayers. In Matthew 6:9-13 deals with the first half focusing on God, His will and plans before coming to our personal petitions. God does not always say yes to every prayer even though we expect Him to do so. We are not to have faith in prayer but rather have faith in God and His character.

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Great points, Jim. It's all about lining up with His will. Don't you find things a bit easier when you are in the will of God?

If I found myself slid in some sin, I can't hear that voice as my spirit is all bent out of shape. It's like a fog over my glasses, a cloud hanging over me. I don't hear much from God, EXCEPT conviction. Only when I get myself right with God does that fog clears and I can be in the working will of God.

We've all had times when in prayer, God will put someone on your heart, and you find out later, they needed it at that very moment. Or you're sitting at home, and a thought comes to call someone, and they're having a hard time, and need someone. Or you're having a conversation with someone, and you get a thought of something they need to hear.
That's not us, that's our Father, He speaks all the time, we just have to learn how to listen.

Dondi said:

Great points, Jim. It's all about lining up with His will. Don't you find things a bit easier when you are in the will of God?

If I found myself slid in some sin, I can't hear that voice as my spirit is all bent out of shape. It's like a fog over my glasses, a cloud hanging over me. I don't hear much from God, EXCEPT conviction. Only when I get myself right with God does that fog clears and I can be in the working will of God.

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Yes....

Often sin in a Christian's life ignores the Holy Spirit that he/she is not willing to acknowledge the conviction. That's the trouble with Christians when they tend to focus on superficial desires rather than their HEARTS to change by the Holy Spirit. Wisdom by definition means quality of being wise; power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience and understanding. In 1 Peter 1: 13 - 16 We are to present our bodies "as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. Truth is, the Holy Spirit is able to grasp our inner being only when we submit completely which will allow Him to teach us, lead us mysterious and divine where we ought to go. Remember, since God is love, therefore, we must surrender to love or we can never know the truth of God. "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." — Psalm 86:11

The WORD is Jesus Christ. God's Word (the Bible) sometimes wounds us deeply and it is imperative because through the Bible, God speaks loudly. The Bible illumines the dark corners of heart and mind by exposing sin but reveals the way of rightousness. The Word of God (Bible) rebukes in order that we may see our faults. ''Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.'' Psalm 119:105 "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Sciptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4).

When we pray daily, we are to remember what God have taught us through His Word, submit to Him and have "love" in our lives.

What a great thread!

One day, during a really rough period several years ago, I was sitting at my desk at home and 'heard': "Make some cornbread muffins and take them to Lloyd." He was my next door neighbor and I didn't know him very well.

I brushed it off.

Then I heard it again. And I said "Lord??? I don't have the ingredients to make them, I'd have to go to the store and I am busy."

Finally.. a third time.. I heard it again. So I said "Sheeesh! Ok already!" I went and bought the stuff, came back and baked them, and took them next door.

I knocked on the door and Lloyd took a long time to get there. He opened the door and I could tell he had been crying. Upon closer inspection, I saw a shotgun sitting by his recliner.

He had been ready to kill himself and prayed "God give me a sign you are really there; I am so alone." And I knocked on the door with the muffins. He called me "Angel" from then on!!

And I am ever so glad I listened and didn't brush it off a third time!