“The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.” (Genesis‬ ‭12:1, 4‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Living in Damascus was a believer named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling his name. “Ananias.” “Yes, Lord,” Ananias answered. The Lord said, “Go at once to the street called Abundance and look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. You will find him at Judah’s house. While he was praying, he saw in a supernatural vision a man named Ananias coming to lay hands upon him to restore his sight.” (Acts 9:10 TPT)

Choosing to practice hearing God when we are not under pressure not only builds faith and relationship but creates a confidence in hearing God for direction when times are difficult.

A God adventure:

Set aside one day , or part of a day, for doing only what God tells you to.

Let it be a time of simple time of child-like faith in and with God.

Right from the start ask God, “What are we going to do now?”

Keep asking child-like questions like you were a small child with their parent. Questions like, “What should I wear? What’s for breakfast? How do you want me to do that? Are we walking or taking the car? Are we there yet?”

Ask questions until it is clear, then act.

Journal what happens.

God as friend:

Choose to do something you enjoy doing with other people like going for a walk, going out for coffee, a bicycle ride, swimming, creating something, gardening or just sitting in the sun.

As you do this activity imagine Jesus is there doing it with you (because He is).

Converse with Him like you would a friend.

Ask Him the sort of questions you would ask a friend.

Listen to what He has to say to you.

Share your thoughts too.

Record what happened during that time.

Remember times when God gave you direction:

Recall a time when you were aware of God’s direction.

For example, when He called you to become His child.

Or maybe there was a time you suddenly had the urge to call, visit or pray for someone only to find out they really needed that help then.

Or maybe you had a vision, a Dream or an angel visit you with instructions.

Or maybe somebody said something that was just the direction you were looking for.

Or maybe you were looking for direction about a job, course, career, or ministry and something that could fill that role suddenly grabbed your attention like it was lit up by powerful lights.

Make an record of these things, thanking God for them.

Ask the Holy Spirit to increase your awareness of God’s direction.

Choose to be available for direction:

At the beginning of each day deliberately set aside at least a few minutes of time to listen to God.

Put aside all your concerns and worries and God, “What do You want to say to me today?”

Record the answer without judging it until after you have finished.

Ask God questions about what He said if you don’t understand it or believe it. For example ask for Scriptures, other signs or prophetic words to confirm it, particularly if it calls a significant change in life direction.

If what you hear was encouraging, healing, a blessing, insightful, generally helpful, loving, like Jesus and drew You closer to God then it was God.

Record your response and what happens. If things don’t go the way you expect come back to God and ask, “What does this mean?” and “What should I do?”

Direction in Scripture:

Read through Scripture looking for the accounts of how God gave people direction.

Choose a favourite, one that stands out to you.

Imaging yourself as the person receiving that direction. What would your response be?

Look at how it turned out for that person. What was the journey like that that direction took them in? Was it long, short, difficult, or easy? How was their faith in God’s direction tested? Was God faithful to His Word?

What is God saying to you through this account? Record the answer.

Personal direction in Scripture:

What is the first number between 1 and 150 that comes into your mind?

Go to the Psalm with that number and read it out loud.

What from this Psalm speaks to your current situation?

What is God promising to do or be for you through the words of the Psalmist?

Write your own personal version of the Psalm for your situation and pray it daily as a prayer.

Record what happens.