In Search of Guidance: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God

by Dallas Willard

A "paradox" concerning divine guidance --
Guidelines to guidance --
Never alone --
Our communicating cosmos --
The still small voice and its rivals --
The Word of God and the rule of God --
Redemption through the Word of God --
Knowing the voice of God --
Guidance and beyond : a life more than guidance.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Discipleship, Religion

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Dallas Willard was a widely respected American philosopher and Christian thinker, best known for his work on spiritual formation and his expertise in phenomenology, particularly the philosophy of Edmund Husserl. He taught philosophy at the University of Southern California from 1965 until his death in 2013, where he also served as department chair in the early 1980s. Willard held degrees in psychology, philosophy, and religion, earning his PhD in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a focus on the history of science. He was recognized as a leading translator and interpreter of Husserl's thought, making foundational texts available in English and contributing significantly to the fields of epistemology, philosophy of mind, and logic.
Though a serious academic, Willard became even more widely known for his books on Christian living, including The Divine Conspiracy and Renovation of the Heart, both of which earned major awards and helped shape the modern spiritual formation movement. He believed that discipleship to Jesus was an intentional process involving not only belief but transformation through spiritual disciplines like prayer, study, solitude, and service. For Willard, spiritual growth was not about earning God’s favor but about participating in the divine life through active cooperation with grace.
His teachings emphasized the concept of apprenticeship to Jesus—being with him, learning to be like him—and his influence extended to ministries such as Renovaré, the Apprentice Institute, and the Dallas Willard Center for Spiritual Formation. He served on the boards of organizations like the C.S. Lewis Foundation and Biola University, and his intellectual and spiritual legacy continues through Dallas Willard Ministries and academic institutions inspired by his work.
Willard was also a deeply personal writer who shared candidly about the challenges of balancing academic life with family. Despite his own admitted shortcomings, those closest to him regarded him as a man of deep love, humility, and grace. His enduring impact can be seen in the lives and works of many contemporary Christian thinkers and writers, including Richard J. Foster, James Bryan Smith, and John Mark Comer. As both philosopher and pastor to the mind, Dallas Willard remains a towering figure in the dialogue between rigorous thought and transformative Christian practice.

Reviews

[Tim]

Willard - class as usual. While at times a bit philosophical in describing how to understand the principles of guidance, the practical application is outstanding. The gentleness with which he writes matched with the breadth of knowledge equals content that is rich like tiramisu.

[Frank Peters]

Once again, I think that Willard writes what I need to read.

[Kim Pace]

A must read! Absolutely life changing.

[Ariel Lovewell]

I didn't go mining for gems, I was given a harvested bundle, and many felt cut for me. Many of these principles have found their way to my egotistical, angsty self over the years in my seeming desperation for God's voice, but I still wish truly that I could throw this book at my younger self! It would have rocked my world so much sooner! If you've ever felt stressed out whatsoever about hearing the voice of God or not hearing the voice of God, this is for you. What a solid read.

There is an updated version of this book that is probably preferable to read. I pulled this one randomly off a thrift shelf and it turned out to be the original publication version of it. Now it's called "Hearing God."

[Kelsey Figone]

I read this book at a time that I was really struggling with the topic of guidance. Therefore this was immediately relevant and practicable to me and I would recommend reading through it when you're struggling with prayer, with hearing God, with making a decision, etc. It is a book that I will keep around on my shelf as a resource and reminder in the future.

[Mihay]

Useful, healthy nourishment for the soul

[Colleen Jantzen]

So helpful

[Bob Jackson]

This is my second read after about 20 years. It is an excellent explanation of how to develop a practical daily relationship with God. If anyone knows of one as good, I'd like to read it.

[Melissa Swearengin]

Thought provoking and deep thoughts on how we intentionally relate to God in our daily lives and how to learn better how to recognize His voice.

[Carol Ann]

This is the same book as Hearing God. It was the first title. This book is excellent.