“The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

“Movement Three: Listening to God

In the third movement of the Prayer Practice—Listening to God—we learn how to recognize and respond to the voice of God.

In John 10:2–5, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd whose sheep know His voice. This is not just a beautiful metaphor—it’s essential for anyone who seeks to be a disciple of Jesus.

But how do we know if the voice we’re hearing is truly God’s?

How do we distinguish it from our own thoughts, the noise of the world, or even the lies of the enemy?

The answer is relationship.

Just as a child knows the voice of a parent, or a pet knows the voice of its owner, we come to know Jesus’ voice through relationship—by walking with Him daily and learning His character.

Touchpoints of Relationship That Help Us Hear God’s Voice:

1. Surrender Fully

It starts with surrender—not treating God like a divine genie, but choosing to follow Jesus wherever He leads, even when the path includes pain. Jesus modeled this surrender, and so must we.

2. God’s Voice = Jesus’ Voice

Hebrews 1:1–3 reminds us that Jesus is the clearest expression of God’s voice. To know Jesus is to know God.

3. God’s Voice = Scripture

The Bible is God’s Word. As we read and internalize Scripture, we align ourselves with His voice and truth.

4. God’s Voice = Life’s Circumstances

God speaks through the events and patterns of our lives—both the highs and the lows—to guide, teach, and shape us.

5. God’s Voice = Aligned Desires

As we center our lives on Jesus, our desires begin to reflect His. Sometimes this shows up as a pull toward a new direction—whether it’s a relationship, calling, or next step in life.

6. God’s Voice = Prophecy, Dreams, and Visions

The Holy Spirit often speaks through others. 1 Corinthians 14:3 teaches that prophecy is meant to strengthen, encourage, and comfort.

7. God’s Voice = Listening Prayer

Sometimes God speaks through a quiet whisper in our spirit. In my experience, I describe it as a knowing—a sudden clarity in my “knower”—a place of deep internal awareness that isn’t forced or figured out but gently revealed.

Key Takeaway:

Listening to God is essential to the spiritual life of a Jesus follower. It deepens our surrender, strengthens our relationship, and invites us into the ongoing work of spiritual formation.

Through Jesus, we can hear and know the voice of God. And when we learn to listen, we learn to follow.”