How to Hear God’s Voice

Have you wanted to hear God speak to you? Would you recognize his voice, if he did? Barbara Heil shares her story of conversion from a god-less childhood to Christian missionary evangelist and eventually to the Catholic Church—drawn by the voice of God in his word. Hear what she learned in the process about the power of Scripture and how to hear him speak.

Barbara Heil is a former protestant minister who converted to Catholicism in 2013. She serves as a missionary evangelist and with her husband, Jeff, shares the Gospel throughout the world. Her reflections on “Listening for the Voice of God”, “Prayer as Conversation with God”, and “Singing from the Heart” can be found in the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible. Learn more about her ministry and upcoming missions at From His Heart.

Take Barbara’s Favorite Scripture to Your Next Holy Hour 

Pray: Come, Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind to hear your word today. 

Read the Word: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, 23–24  

(Read it in your own Bible to get the context, and so you can make notes.)

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. […] May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 

Ponder the Word: Read several times, lingering where it touches your heart. What catches your attention? What do you hear the Lord saying to you? 

Pray with the Word: Bring to the Lord what you have heard, and talk to him about it. Ask for his grace. Thank him for his loving care. 

Live the Word: How does what you read touch your life? What can you do this week to put it into practice?