How to Pray When Desperate to Hear God’s Voice

This post is part of A Biblical Foundation to Hear God’s Voice series. See the links at the end for the whole series.

How to Pray When You're Desperate to Hear God's Voice.

Have you ever been desperate to hear God’s voice? You know, when it’s like you have to hear from God—now! And clearly!

I don’t know about you, but I’m usually desperate to hear God’s voice when I’m seeking direction for my life for a time related or important decision. We cannot discount the power of prayer during those times. I sure don’t want to miss Him or be deceived.

The following is a sampling of what I do to build my faith and talk to God concerning His will for my life. I put Scriptures before me that remind me He is leading me. I pray what the verse says, which is under each verse below. You can’t go wrong when you’re praying the Word.

I invite you to pray the following verses over yourself and the declarations after them. It will cause you to believe what is true, and what you believe will take you to your destiny. Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). When we pray the Word, it causes our mind and heart to line up with what is true.

When we seek God, we see God. We don’t see His physical form, but we see Him at work and can start to see more of what He sees. —Lysa TerKeurst

When we pray the Word, it causes our mind and heart to line up with what is true. Click to Tweet

7 Prayers to Pray When You’re Desperate to Hear God’s Voice

#1 from John 16

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13 NASB

The Spirit of Truth guides me into all truth and only truth. Thank You for speaking to me.

#2 from John 10

To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers. John 10:3-5 NASB

RELATED: 27 Ways Your Good Shepherd Helps You Thrive

You are my Shepherd; I am Your sheep. Lord, I clearly hear, know and follow Your voice; I flee from the voice of the stranger. I take You at Your Word.

Get these verses from this post plus more with the Praying for Direction Scripture Cards.

#3 from Psalm 16

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:11 NLT

Father, You have promised to show me the path of my life. I thank You that You are at my side!

#4 from James 1

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NASB

I need Your wisdom, Father. You promised to give me an abundance of wisdom if I only ask, and I’m asking now.

RELATED: How a Biblical Fool Got a New Reputation

#5 from Matthew 7

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 NASB

7 Prayers to Pray When You're Desperate to Hear God's Voice.

I’m going to ask, seek and knock, Father. I’m asking and seeking You now, knocking on Your door. And You said I will receive, I will find and the door will be opened. Lord, open the doors that pertain to Your will for my life and shut any others.

#6 from Psalm 25

He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Psalm 25:9 ESV

Father, I humble myself before You. You said You lead and teach the humble. Let that be me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

#7 from Proverbs 3

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

I trust You, Lord, with all that is in me. I’m not even going to worry about those things I don’t understand. You are directing my path as I acknowledge You.

RELATED: How to Release Control for Trust

A Must-Do When You’re Desperate to Hear God’s Voice

There’s just one more thing you must do when you’re desperate to hear God’s voice. And try not to tune me out when you find out what it is.

Replace that desperation with deep trust in Him. I know, I know. It’s easier to say it than do it, but praying that aloud will help you to make it into reality. It’s so important to release it all to Him because otherwise, when we want something so desperately, we will hear only what we want to hear!

(Read that last sentence again.)

That’s our tricky heart that can get in the way, but it’s times like that I try to remember to seek His face and not His hand. That means I’m going to seek Him—discover His character and truth—and not just an answer to my needs.

And when we’re in His presence, it’s time to stop and listen. Sometimes He will speak to us immediately, other times He will have us wait. Until we hear His voice, we can find peace in knowing He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

What would you like to hear God about? What scriptures do you like to pray when you’re desperate to hear God’s voice?

A Biblical Foundation to Hear God’s Voice Series

How to Hear God’s Voice

Implement These 4 Tips Now to Learn God’s Voice

Lose the Frustration: Discern Counterfeit Voices and Know God’s Voice

8 Characteristics of God’s Voice

A Dangerous Mistake That Will Make You Miss God’s Voice

How to Pray When You’re Desperate to Hear God’s Voice

Next Steps

kellyrbaker

Kelly R. Baker is a Bible study teacher, mentor, and homeschool mom. She serves with her husband in leading the worship ministry at their church. You will probably find her sneaking a bite (or more) of organic dark chocolate in between wrangling her four kids. She'd love to thrive in Christ together with you. She promises if you live yielded, you'll see the fruit.

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20 Comments

  1. I’m learning the power of praying scripture, it gets me out of my rut of asking, and reminds me to be thankful and to reflect on Gods power and mercy.

    1. Scripture is powerful in and of itself, and then when it is combined with the power of prayer and you Pray the Scriptures – BOOM! Power Packed Prayers. Kelly, I love this post and I especially love how you shared that we need to release and trust God – all too often when we desperately want something it is so true, that can be the only voice we hear. Thanks for sharing such a great power packed post.

  2. We can’t go wrong when we’re praying the Scriptures! Amen! Thanks for sharing, Kelly. Blessings to you!

  3. I love praying the scriptures! Such poetic power in the Word!

  4. I always love your prayers, Kelly. They help me feel closer to God and encourage me to seek connection to Him.

  5. Such a beautiful post!! It is so very true that when our mind is more focused on what we want, then we will be only listening to what we want to hear. I most definitely was reminded in this post that I must remain intentional in my prayer life and in continuing to be focused on only Him. Desiring only what he wants for my path. Thank you Kelly!!

  6. This makes so much sense especially when a believer is in constant communion with God.

  7. I’m learning to read more and understand the Bible, I know that there is no good life with out Jesus. Thanks for your amazing work.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Thanks, Paula. Praying for you!

      1. Nice piece! Most time pressures and pains, especially on serious health issues can be great hindrance to hearing God’s voice. I pray i hear HIM and NOW! .🙏

  8. CHIA CHUNG says:

    I desperately need Father’s voice. Help me to descern His voice.

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