Hearing the voice of God: The power of staying

Discerning God’s Voice Through the Inward Witness and the Still Small Voice.

In a world full of distractions and noise, the ability to hear God’s voice isn’t just a spiritual luxury, it’s a necessity. But when we talk about hearing God, we often need to clarify: it’s not always through an audible voice, dream, or vision. For many believers including myself, it comes as an inward witness, a quiet conviction, a still small voice.

This is what the Bible refers to when it says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children”(Romans 8:16). It’s not mind to mind. It’s Spirit to spirit and because of this, I prefer to call it discerning God’s voice..

The Foundation: Intimacy with God

Like a child who knows her mother’s voice without seeing her face, we come to know God’s voice through continual closeness. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Recognition is the fruit of relationship.

We build that intimacy by:

• Staying in the Word – John 15:7

• Staying in prayer – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

• Staying in worship – Psalm 95:6–7

• Staying in fellowship – Hebrews 10:25

Yet, staying is hard. Life is fast-paced. We intend to pray but get distracted. We open our Bibles and get pulled away by phone notifications. I’ve lived this reality.

When Distraction Sets In

There was a season when every time I began to pray, a flood of forgotten tasks and ideas would suddenly come to mind. Many felt so urgent that I’d pause my prayer to attend to them, even saying, “Thank You, Jesus, for the reminder.” But over time, I realized this habit was weakening my ability to discern His voice. That strong inward conviction I used to feel became faint.

I began to ask: How can I stay long enough to hear clearly again?

3 Staying Tips to Help You Discern God’s Voice

1. Recognize the Enemy’s Strategy

The enemy doesn’t always fight you with obvious sin. Sometimes he simply distracts you. His goal is to break the connection between heaven and earth that happens when you pray, worship, or read the Word. As 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Awareness of this strategy is the first step to overcoming it.

2. Press In with Spiritual Tools

When distractions come, don’t retreat. Press in deeper. One of the greatest tools that helps me overcome distraction is praying in the Spirit and worshipping with my own songs. As Romans 8:26 says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness.” I begin by praying in tongues until my thoughts grow still and my spirit is awake. Most times, I worship with my own songs. By this I mean songs that come from my heart. Not the songs I play from YouTube or I have saved on my play list. I worship God with my own voice, clapping hands were necessary, and no external instrument. As the songs pop in my heart, I begin singing them and focusing on the meaning of every word. Just as Ephesians 5:19 says “….speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” This practice realigns my attention and opens me up to the inward witness of the Holy Spirit.

A resource that helped me greatly in this area is Kenneth Hagin’s How to Be Led by the Spirit of God. I highly recommend it.

In corporate prayer settings, such as church services or group meetings, it’s easy to get mentally disengaged. You may say “Amen” without really hearing what was prayed. One solution is to silently pray along with the person leading. Engage your heart and mind in agreement so that your “Amen” is meaningful.

3. Choose a Sacred Time

Find a time when you’re least likely to be disturbed. For me, that’s between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM. The stillness of the early morning sets the atmosphere for clear communion. In those quiet hours, I often receive gentle impressions in my spirit, whispers that carry weight and clarity. Because my mind is quiet, I can discern that it is the Holy Spirit speaking.

Keep Showing Up

This is a continuous journey. I still face distractions, but I’ve learned that the power is in staying. Even when it feels dry or difficult, I show up. I worship or pray in the Spirit until my flesh grows quiet and my spirit is tuned in. The more I stay, the more I discern.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8

In Conclusion: The Voice that Sustains

To hear God through the inward witness or the still small voice, you must create space for stillness. Like Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11–12, who did not find God in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire but in a gentle whisper, you too must still the noise around and within you.

The voice of God won’t shout over your schedule or anxieties. It waits for the stillness. That’s where the staying power lies. Not just in hearing, but in remaining. In showing up. In abiding.

Let’s Grow Together

These tips are what have worked for me. What about you?

What practices have helped you stay in God’s presence and discern His voice?
Share your thoughts in the comments or send a message to us at arisesisterministeries@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you.

Coming Soon: Part 2 – The Practicality of Receiving from the Spirit-to-Spirit Connection.

Make sure to subscribe or follow  us on all our platforms so you don’t miss it.