When we pray, how can we tell it is God speaking to us and not just our own thoughts and desires? In my own prayers—especially in those silent prayers when I’ve quieted my mind and heart and simply listen—I sometimes wonder if the thought that popped into my head or the feeling in my heart is God speaking, or merely my own wishes. God has never spoken to me in an audible voice, but I know that he does speak to me. We can hear God speak to us in our hearts, in our innermost being. God desires to communicate with us. But we must learn to recognize his voice.

The Bible is a good place to start because it’s God’s very words to us. In the gospel of John, we read: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). This verse reminds me of a story my dad, John, tells from his childhood. It’s a story that has helped me learn to hear God’s voice when I pray.

The Voice of the Shepherd

When my dad was a little boy, he had three ewes that he wanted to breed, but they didn’t have a ram on his parent’s small hobby farm. So my dad, with the help of his father, took the sheep to a local farmer who had a ram. Upon arriving at the farmer’s field, my dad worried that once his female sheep mixed in with the large flock grazing in the field, he would never be able to recognize them and get them back. But when the farmer opened the gate and my dad’s ewes ran out to join the flock, the farmer reassured him that he would have no problem retrieving his sheep later.

Several weeks passed, and after the females had successfully bred with the ram, my dad returned to pick them up. As he and the farmer stood by the gate talking, the farmer pointed to the flock of sheep, “Look.” My dad’s three ewes were lined up at the gate waiting to go home. They had recognized my dad’s voice and had come to him. A few months later, my dad had several new lambs to add to his flock.

Like those sheep, we can recognize God’s voice amid loud distractions and competing words.

3 simple tips for discerning God’s voice

Whole books have been written to answer the complicated question about discerning God’s voice. I want to offer just three simple tips that have helped me be more confident in hearing God when I pray:

Spend time with God regularly

Discerning God’s voice becomes easier when we prioritize our time with God in prayer, reading and meditating on his Word, and worship with other believers. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Dedicated time builds faith and trust, and attunes us to hearing God’s voice. When we regularly read God’s own words, and ask him to purify our hearts, examine our motives, and align our character with that of Jesus, we can more easily distinguish God’s voice from our own thoughts or other voices.

God’s voice lines up with Scripture

God’s voice will never contradict the Bible. Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). These verses remind us to use Scripture to test what we hear. God’s personal leading would never contradict the Ten Commandments or God’s rule of love (1 Corinthians 13).

I often spend time with God while walking. I especially enjoy walking along the beaches of Lake Michigan during a sunset. Being close and connected to God’s creation has always been my favorite place to spend time with God and pray. As the wind blows my hair, the vibrant purple and oranges of the setting sun fill the sky, and the cold water washes over my feet, I hear God saying that he loves me. As I walk, Psalm 19 comes to mind, aligning the beautiful message of God’s voice in my heart with the truth of Scripture. It always moves me to worship.

Seek wise Christian guidance

If you are still unsure if you are hearing God’s voice correctly, seek out the wisdom of a trusted Christian friend. Paul wrote to the church of Colossae, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16). I’ve often found that asking a fellow Christian to help me discern God’s voice has led to faith-affirming discussions and reminds me that I am not alone. Leaning on the wisdom, strength, and encouragement of other believers has been so helpful as I discern God’s voice in the often confusing noise of the world and the tangle of my own thoughts and desires.

Friends, may you find comfort and confidence that your loving shepherd is always near, ready to lead you with his gentle and loving voice. I'm convinced that when we first hear God’s audible voice, we’ll be able to recognize it. If you would like to learn more about listening for God, check out Ways to Pray: Listening Prayer.