No matter where we are in our spiritual life, new challenges can be testing. One of the hardest seasons to be is a season of waiting where we’re asking God for direction but we can’t seem to hear him. So what are we to do?
Asking God For Direction Through Prayer
Needless to say, prayer is foundational to our relationship with God. We communicate to our heavenly Father through prayer so it is an essential tool when we ask God for direction. Sometimes, we pray for specific things for God to do for us without thinking whether it is His will for us. But when we pray, we need to ask with confidence knowing that he will hear us when we ask anything according to his will.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. - 1 John 5:14
Even if we’re unclear of the specifics on how God will answer our prayer, unanswered prayer is also an answer. Why? Because God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. If you ever think back on some unanswered prayers that you have in the past, you may be relieved that God did not answer them. It holds true for whatever circumstance that we may be in now. We need to continue praying. But know that whether God seems to answer or not, we need to have faith that God is working for our good.
Asking God For Direction Through Fasting
Fasting is a practice that has been done throughout the Bible as a part of asking God for direction. When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, he fasted in order to write the ten commandments (Exodus 34:28). Paul and Barnabas fasted to get God’s direction in appointing elders for each church (Acts 14:23). But fasting is never meant to manipulate God into answering our prayers. It is not a part of some secret formula to get God to do what we ask. God sees our hearts and intentions. We cannot hide anything from His sight.
So what does fasting do? Fasting allows us to get rid of more of ourselves and our needs. When we sacrifice our needs, no matter how small, and put God first, our hearts connect with our heavenly Father. We’re able to see more clearly when we rid ourselves of our own fleshly desires and look to God.
Asking God For Direction Through Peace
Sometimes we ask God for direction in an area of our life and for whatever reason, He doesn’t make it as clear to us. God can communicate to us in ways that we understand. Sometimes it may be through signs, dreams, and visions. Sometimes it may be through using someone to speak to us, whether they know they’re being used by God or not. It can be subtle or it can be dramatic. But no matter which approaches that God uses, the one thing that is a characteristic of Jesus that nothing can emulate is peace. When Jesus is in a decision, in a change, in whatever circumstance that you may be in, there will be peace because Jesus is the Prince of peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27 (NIV)
The peace that Jesus leaves is unlike anything else that you can achieve on your own. Eastern meditation may attempt to emulate peace. But the peace that Jesus leaves is calming of the darkest storms and the loudest accusations. Doubts, fears, and anxieties fall away. Your deepest shame and guilt cannot stand up to it when Jesus says “let there be peace”.
When I first experienced this for the first time, I questioned it. Because I didn’t think it was possible. I had been crying out to Him, praying, and wondering why He hasn’t heard me. I was alone laying at night, thousands of miles away from those I love. And I started singing “bless the Lord, O my soul, worship His Holy name” through tears and doubts. When I finished the song, a calmness took over that I could not comprehend. I started bringing up everything that had me worried and anxious earlier.
I even started thinking about every embarrassing thing I’ve ever done. And I purposely thought about memories that normally made me cringe when I remember them. But nothing could move that peace. So when I’m asking God for direction for anything in my life but I can’t hear Him any other way, I search for where His peace is.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father, thank you that your plans for me are good. Whether I can see the directions you have laid out for me or not, I know that you walk with me. You uphold me with your righteous right hand despite my doubts and fears. I choose to re-declare that my faith is in you alone. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Recommendation
Knowing God starts with knowing His Word. If you don’t already own a Bible, there are many churches that give one for free. You can also download a YouVersion Bible App. Or if you’d like a physical copy, it can easily be found on amazon.