You want to hear God through your prayers.  You have good intentions of getting up earlier to listen to God through time in prayer.

However, something seems to get in your way.

Time gets away from you because:

• You hit the snooze button too many times because you are too tired.
• You’re scrolling on Facebook or checking emails and get distracted.
• You wake up with a start, remembering that urgent project you had to complete before leaving the house.
• Your kids wake up just as you begin and want to snuggle.

Somehow, your good intentions of meeting and listening to God go out the window.  You whisper to yourself,” Tomorrow, you and I will meet, God, I promise.”

And you feel guilty as you give Him a brief greeting, running out the door.  “Love you, God.”

He knows your heart and sees your life.  He doesn’t want your guilt.  He wants what is best for you and longs to spend time with you because He delights in you.

What can you do to establish a habit of listening to God?

According to James Clear in his book, Atomic Habits, forming a habit has to do with belief in our identity.   Rather than decide what you want to do about setting up a time to meet with God, you decide who you want to become as you meet with God.

Who do you believe you will become as you listen to God?

A belief is a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing.  Meeting and listening with God will make what kind of difference in your life?

What do you believe about spending time listening to God?  Who are you trusting in during this time?

Getting clear on the changes in yourself you believe will occur becomes a huge motivator.  For example, when I meet with God and I hear His voice through reading His scripture, I become more peaceful, calm, encouraged and equipped.  I am ready to face whatever circumstances the day may throw at me.  I am grounded and confident because I believe God is by my side and the Spirit is guiding me.

Who does God say you are?

By meeting and listening to God each morning, what identity does God encourage you to grow?  Knowing that the God of the Universe, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have things to tell you about who you are as a person again are so encouraging.

From scripture, from breathe prayer, from awareness examen, you become more and more aware of who God has made you to be.

God calls you His beloved, His son or daughter, His friend, His trusted one.  You can learn all kinds of pieces of your identity by coming to Him in prayer and listening.  As you grow in awareness, you may grow in confidence as well. Can you hear His whispers?  Get quiet for a moment and ask Him to whisper in your ear.

Who are you becoming as a praying, listening person?

The goal of listening to God then becomes, I am becoming a person who prays and listens to God, not I am learning to have prayer time or I have time to pray and listen each morning.

How does the statement, I am a person who prays and listens to God resonate with you?  What now are the habits you can put begin to put in place to see your identity take place?

The Take Away

Developing a new habit focuses on your identity, who you believe you are and who you want to become.  By focusing on the belief that you are a listener of God, you can put in place the first steps in having that become truth.

How can developing a new habit change your life today?

What do you have to lose?

I can’t wait to hear what habit you choose to start for this belief to get deep into your bones. Reply to this email and let me know how I can be praying for you.  Having someone pray for you as you make changes makes those changes significantly easier.

Let’s walk this journey together.

Nancy Booth wants to create safe spaces for you, helping you find ways to have two-way conversations with God.  She loves encouraging you to look for ways He is at work. Nancy is a spiritual director and writer.  She would love to accompany you on your journey of discovery to hear and see more of the God who delights in you.  Peace, hope and freedom could be yours Contact her today..