3 Practical Ways to Hear God More Clearly
“Then the LORD came and stood and called as at the previous times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening. ”
Chapter three in the Book of Samuel is one of my favorite Old Testament stories. It tells of a young boy learning to hear the voice of God and articulate His message to others, ultimately becoming one of the greatest prophets of all time. I especially love 1 Samuel 3:1, which states:
“And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”
Some may argue that this is still the case today, but I strongly disagree. While the world may seem louder and more chaotic than ever, God’s voice remains just as present and powerful for those who seek Him.
People often ask how I hear God so clearly. It hasn’t always been this way, but I’ve learned that hearing Him through the noise becomes easier when I follow a few key practices. Here are three practical steps you can take to hear God more clearly in your own life.
1. Open and Read Your Bible
If someone you love sends you a text, you recognize their voice in the words they use. You know how they speak, so you know it’s them. If my husband grabs my phone and texts a friend something outlandish, my friend immediately knows it wasn’t me because it doesn’t sound like my voice.
The same is true when listening for God’s voice.
Do you ever wonder, was that God, or just my own thoughts? Occasionally, I’ll have a thought and immediately recognize, God would never say that.
Paul explains this in his letter to the Corinthians:
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
When you read the Bible regularly (I encourage daily reading), taking every thought captive becomes second nature. You’ll recognize foreign thoughts and discern if they are from God. The Bible is the Word of God, and when you immerse yourself in it, you’ll recognize His voice when He speaks to you.
If you’re just starting out, begin small—find a verse that speaks to you and reflect on it. The key is consistency. It doesn’t matter if you read from a hard copy Bible or an app on your phone.
2. Pray and Meditate
The Bible instructs us:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Two of the greatest enemies of our generation are distraction and the desire for instant affirmation. We have time to pray, but we often allow meaningless distractions—like our phones—to get in the way. Since we expect instant results, when a prayer isn’t answered immediately, we may assume it’s ineffective. But prayer is the most powerful tool we have.
Many of us overcomplicate prayer, thinking we need perfect peace and quiet to do it right. That’s a nice idea, but not always practical. Instead, try this:
Find a Bible verse that resonates with you.
Say a prayer related to that verse—while washing dishes, driving the kids to school, or working out. If you tend to forget, write the verse on a sticky note and place it where you’ll see it (bathroom mirror, car dashboard, desk, etc.).
Meditate on that verse throughout the day.
When I say meditate, I don’t mean yoga-style meditation—though if you have time for that, good for you! Biblical meditation simply means thinking about a verse repeatedly. Did you know this pleases God? He loves your prayers, but He also delights in you thinking about His Word.
3. Journal
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received was to journal my walk with God. At first, it felt uncomfortable—writing my thoughts down on paper felt intimate, even risky. But over time, I came to cherish it. Now, I wouldn’t hesitate to share my journal because I know what God speaks to me is real.
Isaiah writes:
“See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” – Isaiah 42:9 (NIV)
This verse perfectly captures the value of journaling. Looking back, I can see how God was speaking to me long before I realized what He was preparing me for. I’ve been journaling since 2017, and rereading old entries always amazes me—I see clearly how God was at work. Without writing it down, I might have missed those insights. The things He reveals to you are a prophetic gift.
Recap:
Read the Bible – If you want to know what someone sounds like, you need to know their voice. The Bible is God’s word.
Pray & Meditate – Ask God to speak to you and help you hear Him. Think about His word throughout your day.
Journal – Writing consistently will help you see God’s faithfulness in your life.
If you lean into God, He will lean into you. As you commit to these three steps, I pray they bring clarity and deepen your connection with Him. Just as Samuel learned to recognize God's voice, you too can grow in confidence, knowing that He is always speaking—you just need to listen.
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“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.”
