21 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day 16
21 Days of Prayer & Fasting
Day 16 - How is seeing related to listening?
We can really “see” others better, when we listen to them. Proverbs 2:2 tells us to “turn our ears to wisdom and apply our hearts to understanding.” Wisdom springs forth, by hearing and asking God for discernment about what we hear. Listening to others helps us “see” the individual and his/her situation with more clarity, so we can pray for them and encourage them. James 1:19 also says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” So, we “see” the person, “listen” to the person,” and gain the wisdom we need for the next steps of support. And when people feel like we’ve genuinely listened to them, they feel both HEARD and SEEN.
What does your active listening look like? Does it look like looking up from a computer screen to look someone in the eyes? Or setting the phone down and looking across the table? How can you activate your listening so that others truly feel seen AND heard by you? What an incredible gift you can give to someone by allowing them to be fully seen.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to “see with my ears,” in addition to my eyes. Help me to be an active listener, so that the speaker can feel validated and supported. Give me opportunities to carry this active listening out in my life. Amen.
We can really “see” others better, when we listen to them. Proverbs 2:2 tells us to “turn our ears to wisdom and apply our hearts to understanding.” Wisdom springs forth, by hearing and asking God for discernment about what we hear. Listening to others helps us “see” the individual and his/her situation with more clarity, so we can pray for them and encourage them. James 1:19 also says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” So, we “see” the person, “listen” to the person,” and gain the wisdom we need for the next steps of support. And when people feel like we’ve genuinely listened to them, they feel both HEARD and SEEN.
What does your active listening look like? Does it look like looking up from a computer screen to look someone in the eyes? Or setting the phone down and looking across the table? How can you activate your listening so that others truly feel seen AND heard by you? What an incredible gift you can give to someone by allowing them to be fully seen.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to “see with my ears,” in addition to my eyes. Help me to be an active listener, so that the speaker can feel validated and supported. Give me opportunities to carry this active listening out in my life. Amen.
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