"Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." -1 Samuel 3:10

Recently, I have been practicing the art of listening for God through silence. Practicing silence and searching for God's voice is one of the most difficult tasks for myself as a Christian, and many other Christians in the world today. Quieting our own voice and our own thoughts can be quite challenging, and at times even counter-cultural. However, it is nearly impossible to hear the LORD's voice when the business of our own lives and the noise from the day clouds our every thought and waking moment.

When we quiet the noise of the world around us, we are able to relax and focus on our faith and God's presence in our lives. Having only It is important to realize that practicing silence does not mean one has to sit and stare at a wall for a half hour each day. You can journal, pray, reflect on your day or your experiences with God, bring up concerns or praises to Him, and more. I prefer to read scripture or go outside to enjoy His creation.

Once you take the time to invite silence into your life for just a few minutes a day, your faith will grow. God's presence in your life should become more noticeable. God often chooses to speak to us when we turn the volume down, focus on Him, and truly listen. When the LORD spoke to Elijah, He did not come in the "powerful wind," the "earthquake," or the "fire." Instead, He came in the form of "a gentle whisper" (1 Kings 11-12). God speaks through silence.

While I am nowhere near an expert in this area, and quite honestly don't partake in it as often as I should, I am trying to incorporate silence to listen for the LORD into more of my day. Although I have been practicing this only a short time, I can already see positive changes in my faith.

So I encourage those reading to take five minutes of your day and dedicate it to listening for the LORD, whether that be through scripture reading, prayer, or other options. It is amazing what even five minutes can do in your spiritual life.