18. Tres tiempos de la oración

Learning to Listen to God

The Importance of Listening

• We need to learn to listen to God in all events of our lives, as many occurrences are calls for change or new directions from Him.

• It is emphasized that God is speaking to us through various situations around us.

Enhancing Our Prayer Life

• Encouragement is given to practice the three moments of prayer with greater enthusiasm within our relationship with God.

• Just like conversations have different times, prayer also requires varied approaches for effective communication and growth.

Understanding Prayer

Jesus' Teachings on Prayer

• The session focuses on the significance of prayer as one of the most important teachings left by Jesus for effective communication with God.

• Many people have learned only how to recite prayers rather than developing a true life of prayer, which is essential for spiritual growth.

Tools for Improving Prayer

• A proposal is made for a structured approach called "the three threes" in prayer, aimed at enhancing one's ability to pray effectively.

• The discussion will cover three moments in prayer: praising, asking, and thanking God as foundational elements of praying well.

The Three Times of Prayer

Exploring the Three Times

• There are three key times in prayer: time to speak, time to listen, and time for love; these create a dynamic conversation with God.

• Emphasis on deepening our relationship with God beyond superficiality through meaningful dialogue akin to human relationships.

Communication Dynamics

• Effective communication involves both speaking and listening; this principle applies equally in our relationship with God as it does in human interactions.

• Just as marital relationships require deep communication for love development, so too does our relationship with God necessitate profound dialogue.

Engaging in Dialogue with God

Initiating Conversation

• The first step in any relationship starts with talking; similarly, we begin our prayers by expressing ourselves verbally or from the heart.

• In this initial phase of speaking during prayer, we can praise, thank, and ask from a place where God's understanding transcends mere words spoken aloud.

Communicating with God: The Importance of Prayer

Entering into Silence

• To communicate with God, one should enter the silence of their home, close the door, and begin to speak. This personal space allows for a deeper connection.

• The speaker shares a transformative experience from attending a Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement where individuals confidently spoke to God, demonstrating the power of prayer.

Engaging the Whole Self in Prayer

• Closing one's eyes during prayer helps visualize God's presence, making it easier to engage in conversation as it feels more human and relatable.

• The speaker encourages expressing praise, gratitude, and requests aloud rather than just internally. Hearing oneself can enhance the prayer experience.

Dynamics of Prayer

• A cycle of praising, thanking, asking, and repeating these elements can extend the duration and depth of prayer. Each aspect contributes to a richer dialogue with God.

• Recognizing that God is alive and present during prayer is crucial; He listens not only from within our hearts but also in our physical presence.

Listening as an Essential Component

• Prayer is not merely a monologue; it's vital to listen for God's responses. Many people focus solely on speaking without allowing time for divine communication.

• Learning how to hear God's voice is essential; often His messages come through our hearts rather than our ears.

Understanding Divine Communication

• The speaker introduces Morse code as an analogy for understanding how God communicates—through specific signals that require learning and interpretation.

• Just like mastering Morse code involves memorization and practice, recognizing how God speaks requires openness and attentiveness.

Preparing to Listen

• To effectively hear God's voice, one must open their heart. Distractions or worries can hinder this process; intentionality is key.

• Biblical examples illustrate this concept; Samuel's story highlights the importance of being receptive when called by God.

This structured approach provides clarity on communicating with God through prayer while emphasizing both speaking and listening as integral components.

Listening to God's Voice

Understanding Divine Communication

• Eli recognized that it was God calling Samuel after three attempts. He advised Samuel to respond, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening," highlighting the importance of an open heart in receiving divine messages.

• Listening to God requires attentiveness; it's not just about being present but engaging the heart fully. This parallels a telegraph operator needing focus to interpret Morse code accurately.

• If the telegraph operator fails to pay attention, they may misinterpret signals. Similarly, when praying, one must be fully engaged with all senses directed towards God.

• Initially, one might only experience silence when trying to listen for God's voice. However, learning to hear Him involves quieting internal distractions and recognizing His subtle communication style.

• God communicates in unique ways that may differ from our expectations. The speaker emphasizes understanding three primary elements through which God conveys His thoughts and love.

Recognizing God's Messages

• One essential way God speaks is through life events and interactions with others. Romans 8:28 illustrates that everything contributes to the good for those who love Him.

• All experiences serve as messages from God; even challenging situations can signal areas where we need growth or change in behavior.

• Many occurrences around us are calls from God urging us toward transformation or different paths; however, without sensitivity during prayer, we may miss these cues.

• Not all communication with God happens during prayer; much occurs throughout daily life. This ongoing dialogue allows us to return to prayer enriched by our experiences.

The Process of Revelation

• The analogy of photography illustrates how experiences (images) require processing (revelation). Just as photos need chemicals for development, our daily encounters need reflection in prayer for clarity and meaning.

• In prayerful reflection on daily interactions—whether with family or friends—we begin seeing clearer images of God's messages that guide our actions and decisions moving forward.

Communication with God through Prayer

The Importance of Listening in Prayer

• The act of prayer is likened to developing a relationship where one must listen to God, similar to how one would appreciate compliments from others.

• Learning from fellow Christians can lead to personal transformation and awareness of one's shortcomings that hinder spiritual growth.

God's Communication Methods

• God communicates not only through direct revelation but also via interactions with others, which may initially provoke resistance but ultimately leads to deeper understanding.

• The Bible serves as the primary tool for communication during prayer; it is not merely a historical text but a living word meant for personal guidance.

Engaging with Scripture

• Bringing the Bible into prayer allows individuals to engage in meaningful dialogue with God rather than just monologuing.

• Many fear misinterpreting scripture, yet the Bible should be approached both as a study tool and as a means of listening to God's voice.

Personal Experiences in Prayer

• Opening one's heart during prayer while reading scripture can reveal significant insights tailored for individual circumstances.

• A personal anecdote illustrates how spontaneous scripture reading led to profound encouragement and affirmation from God during a time of self-reflection.

Understanding Scripture's Role

• The experience shared emphasizes that God's messages often come at pivotal moments, providing comfort or correction when needed most.

• Reflecting on past experiences reveals how divine messages can guide one's path toward spiritual goals, such as pursuing priesthood.

Overcoming Misunderstandings of Scripture

• Misinterpretations arise when individuals approach the Old Testament without seeking divine insight through prayer; it is part of salvation history rather than mere storytelling.

• Recognizing that God continuously speaks through scripture fosters a deeper relationship and understanding of His will in our lives.

Understanding God's Will Through Prayer

The Process of Seeking Divine Guidance

• The speaker illustrates the concept of prayer as a line drawn with points representing moments of divine communication, suggesting that as one prays more, these points begin to connect and reveal a clearer path.

• Emphasizes the importance of consulting God in significant life decisions, such as relationships or career changes, highlighting that casual inquiries may not require deep discernment.

• Discusses the consequences of failing to seek God's guidance, noting that many marriages and careers fail due to neglecting prayer and scriptural consultation.

• Encourages maintaining a spiritual journal to document insights received from God over time, which helps in recognizing patterns and forming a coherent understanding of His will.

• Acknowledges that not every point will align perfectly due to our internal state; however, prolonged prayer leads to clearer communication from God.

Recognizing God's Voice

• Asserts that through consistent prayer and reflection, individuals can confidently identify their true calling—whether it be marriage or religious vocation.

• Highlights the necessity of consulting scripture and being attentive to signs from God during prayer for effective discernment regarding one's life direction.

• Describes how silence during prayer allows for divine messages to surface in one's soul, akin to an image developing on photographic paper.

Elements of Discernment

• Quotes Psalm 119:105 about God's word serving as guidance for life's journey, stressing daily engagement with scripture is essential for understanding His will.

• Introduces the concept of "interior motion," as described by St. Ignatius of Loyola—an emotional response indicating peace or agitation when contemplating different life paths.

• Shares personal reflections on feeling joy when considering priesthood versus unease when imagining other career paths, illustrating how emotions can guide decision-making processes.

Engaging with Silence

• Underlines the importance of creating space for silence in order to hear God's voice clearly amidst distractions and inner turmoil during discernment exercises.

• Notes that discerning one's vocation requires patience and practice; engaging in silent contemplation allows individuals to better understand their feelings towards various life choices.

Conclusion: The Role of Love in Communication

• Concludes by emphasizing love's role in communication; true connection occurs beyond words—highlighting moments shared between lovers where emotions are deeply felt without verbal expression.

• Suggests that this profound connection mirrors how one should approach their relationship with God—through openness and receptivity rather than mere dialogue.

Communication in Relationships and Prayer

The Nature of Communication in Love

• The essence of communication in romantic relationships is highlighted, where even a simple "hello" can signify deep emotional connections despite physical distance.

• Love transcends space; it is fundamentally about the heart rather than mere words or actions. This concept parallels our relationship with God, which often lacks depth due to superficial engagement.

Building Meaningful Connections

• A relationship that lacks meaningful conversation will struggle; physical expressions like kissing are ineffective without prior emotional bonding. This emphasizes the importance of developing a strong foundation before expressing affection.

• True communication involves a deeper communion between hearts, not just physical interactions, which many young people overlook leading to failed relationships.

Experiencing Divine Communication

• In prayer, we should strive for profound communication with God, described as a "silence that speaks," akin to an intimate embrace from God. San Pablo's teachings suggest that the Spirit aids us in this silent yet powerful dialogue with God.

• Effective prayer requires time and dedication; mystical experiences shared by figures like San Juan de la Cruz and Santa Teresa de Jesús illustrate that such connections are accessible to everyone willing to invest effort into their spiritual life.

The Importance of Time in Prayer

• Just as Jesus had a close relationship with Lazarus built over time, our connection with God also needs nurturing through consistent prayer practices—time spent together fosters love and understanding.

• Establishing dedicated times for speaking and listening during prayer enhances our relationship with God, allowing for moments of worship and gratitude interspersed throughout our conversations with Him.

Enhancing Your Prayer Life

• To deepen your prayer experience, gradually increase your dedicated time for prayer—from 15 minutes up to several hours—as you become more engaged in this sacred practice. Being present during these moments allows for richer communication with God.

• Acknowledging that one hour may be insufficient for meaningful interaction encourages individuals to seek longer periods of devotion, ultimately transforming their spiritual lives through sustained engagement with God's presence.