We are trying not so much to make God listen to us as to…
“We are trying not so much to make God listen to us as to make ourselves listen to him; we are trying not to persuade God to do what we want, but to find out what he wants us to do. It so often happens that in prayer we are really saying, 'Thy will be changed,' when we ought to be saying, 'Thy will be done.' The first object of prayer is not so much to speak to God as to listen to him.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Prayer should be listening to God's will, not demanding it; humility over persuasion.
In simple terms: Listen to God, not command Him.
Key Takeaway
Seek to understand divine will.
Themes
faith
humility
prayer
Mood
contemplative
reverent
Type
spiritual
theological
When to use this quote
- personal meditation
- spiritual direction
- church services
- daily devotion
Key Concepts
Divine will
spiritual listening
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you discern God's will?
- What does humility look like in prayer?
A Different Perspective
Listening may be difficult when desires conflict with perceived divine plans.