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Listening to God
When we seek his voice, God is far from silent. In this profound spiritual testimony, Joyce Huggett draws on many years’ experience of prayerfully listening to God to offer practical guidance and advice for anyone seeking a new dimension of prayer. Offering encouragement to start out on the journey, she tackles common difficulties honestly, and points towards a thrilling new relationship with God. This book, described as a spiritual classic has over 20 years provided invaluable help to many thousands of people seeking greater depth in their spiritual life. This revised edition contains a new chapter looking at what we can learn from the different streams of Christian spirituality.
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
i-can-t-even-finish
January 8, 2020I should have known better. I mean, I suspected, but couldn't find a real answer.
Bought both this and "The Joy of Listening To God." Yep. They're the same book. So I've already read it and now I have two copies.
Ah well.
Bought both this and "The Joy of Listening To God." Yep. They're the same book. So I've already read it and now I have two copies.
Ah well.
August 17, 2020
Joyce Huggett walks us through her own journey of learning how to listen to God. This is invaluable because it makes her very relatable as she shares her frustrations, fears and feelings of inadequacy in learning this new skill.
God is always talking to us and there's a real skill to learning to listen to Him. She shares the various ways in which God can talk to us: through the Bible (the most important one), dreams and visions, nature, still small voice (nudges in one's spirit), other people and so on. Learning to listen also requires obedience: do what you think you're hearing and also challenge it against the Word of God. She sights some examples of people believing they'd been told to do things that were inconsistent with the Bible and shows how she helped those people to re-tune their hearing.
Huggett accesses lots of great references, may of which are quite hard to find now not being in print. Remember, this book was first written over 30 years ago. She ends the book with a Bibliography of suggested further readings which I appreciated.
Huggett updates the book from the original sharing how her listening skills have developed over the ensuing 30 years. She now regularly teaches on the subject. Interestingly, she shares the different stages of prayer that can be associated with the deepening of one's relationship with God.
I'm really pleased I read this and I've adjusted some of my disciplines to incorporate some of Huggett's tips. However, as she states a few times, God will talk to each of us differently based on our personalities and desire for Him, and part of the adventure is discovering our own listening style/techniques.
Highly recommended.
God is always talking to us and there's a real skill to learning to listen to Him. She shares the various ways in which God can talk to us: through the Bible (the most important one), dreams and visions, nature, still small voice (nudges in one's spirit), other people and so on. Learning to listen also requires obedience: do what you think you're hearing and also challenge it against the Word of God. She sights some examples of people believing they'd been told to do things that were inconsistent with the Bible and shows how she helped those people to re-tune their hearing.
Huggett accesses lots of great references, may of which are quite hard to find now not being in print. Remember, this book was first written over 30 years ago. She ends the book with a Bibliography of suggested further readings which I appreciated.
Huggett updates the book from the original sharing how her listening skills have developed over the ensuing 30 years. She now regularly teaches on the subject. Interestingly, she shares the different stages of prayer that can be associated with the deepening of one's relationship with God.
I'm really pleased I read this and I've adjusted some of my disciplines to incorporate some of Huggett's tips. However, as she states a few times, God will talk to each of us differently based on our personalities and desire for Him, and part of the adventure is discovering our own listening style/techniques.
Highly recommended.
October 20, 2021
I always knew this was one of the two books that most influenced my Christian journey, but only in re-reading some 30 years later did I realise just how deeply 'Listening to God' has governed my thinking about the whole of relationship with God. It is a truly brilliant, well written and easy to digest book of help for Christian life.
It is also a deeply personal book where Huggett doesn't shy away from revealing her personal struggles and troubles. If she shows herself to be rather broken in need of healing - well - in a sense we all are, just that many of us, even the Christians, don't realise it because we haven't let God uncover these things. This is exactly why we need to draw near to God and listen to what He is saying into our lives and that is the purpose of the book. I applaud Joyce Huggett for risking so much and giving so much of herself into this - it was worth it for others.
The book is Huggett's journey from a foundation of belief in the importance of prayer to transformation from 'talking at God', to 'letting Him speak to her'. This involved delving into the traditions of contemplative prayer as in monastic traditions. I remember reading this as a young man being somewhat scared off, that she was in way deeper over her head than I was wanting to venture, but reading it again now it didn't seem quite so stretching. Nevertheless this was part of her journey with people around her also repelled by this pathway, but in time God redirected her back into a more balanced and middle way.
Indeed the wisdom of the book is to show how all things must be held in balance and all things have value within their proper place in prayer - bible, charismatic gifts, dreams & visions, creation et al. When comparing this to the 'sacred pathways' teaching about different individual preferences to hearing from God, what this book gives is a much more nuanced/integrated approach whereby not only are all the bases are covered but the field is laid out in proper order.
Prayer is work. It is something we have to learn how to do, which sounds surprising at first glance but I think we all really know that deep down inside. It starts with a desire to actually really know God. If we are willing to follow up on that desire then there is a lot to discover and also many perils and pitfalls along the way. This is the book to set you on the way!
It is also a deeply personal book where Huggett doesn't shy away from revealing her personal struggles and troubles. If she shows herself to be rather broken in need of healing - well - in a sense we all are, just that many of us, even the Christians, don't realise it because we haven't let God uncover these things. This is exactly why we need to draw near to God and listen to what He is saying into our lives and that is the purpose of the book. I applaud Joyce Huggett for risking so much and giving so much of herself into this - it was worth it for others.
The book is Huggett's journey from a foundation of belief in the importance of prayer to transformation from 'talking at God', to 'letting Him speak to her'. This involved delving into the traditions of contemplative prayer as in monastic traditions. I remember reading this as a young man being somewhat scared off, that she was in way deeper over her head than I was wanting to venture, but reading it again now it didn't seem quite so stretching. Nevertheless this was part of her journey with people around her also repelled by this pathway, but in time God redirected her back into a more balanced and middle way.
Indeed the wisdom of the book is to show how all things must be held in balance and all things have value within their proper place in prayer - bible, charismatic gifts, dreams & visions, creation et al. When comparing this to the 'sacred pathways' teaching about different individual preferences to hearing from God, what this book gives is a much more nuanced/integrated approach whereby not only are all the bases are covered but the field is laid out in proper order.
Prayer is work. It is something we have to learn how to do, which sounds surprising at first glance but I think we all really know that deep down inside. It starts with a desire to actually really know God. If we are willing to follow up on that desire then there is a lot to discover and also many perils and pitfalls along the way. This is the book to set you on the way!
May 19, 2023
Listening to God ~ Joyce Huggett
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
Joyce Huggett tells the story of her prayer journey which wasn't an easy one. Joyce was challenged about prayer and wanted to hear God, she decided to study the bible to see what the word had to say about it, challenged she set out to move closer to God through prayer.
She was challenged by people in her church as to if she was doing the right thing as it seems a path where you can easily fall into dangerous holes. Does God speak today? Scripture said yes and so she used many methods used throughout church history, she soon found that people today don't listen, we fill the empty gaps with noise with word and music and so we don't hear from God.
Although I don't agree with all her steps she is very honest and a genuine daughter Of God who simply wanted to hear her heavenly Father. I really liked the chapter on contemplative prayer and found it helpful.
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
Joyce Huggett tells the story of her prayer journey which wasn't an easy one. Joyce was challenged about prayer and wanted to hear God, she decided to study the bible to see what the word had to say about it, challenged she set out to move closer to God through prayer.
She was challenged by people in her church as to if she was doing the right thing as it seems a path where you can easily fall into dangerous holes. Does God speak today? Scripture said yes and so she used many methods used throughout church history, she soon found that people today don't listen, we fill the empty gaps with noise with word and music and so we don't hear from God.
Although I don't agree with all her steps she is very honest and a genuine daughter Of God who simply wanted to hear her heavenly Father. I really liked the chapter on contemplative prayer and found it helpful.
November 1, 2018
A friend gave me this book and I am delighted that she did. How I wish churches would apply what it talks about. Joyce Huggett talks about the many ways in which one can hear from God, not being prescriptive, so you don't feel like you have to follow a set pattern in order to garner what she has. I honestly believe that the world needs this kind of book - a simple, calm, reverent approach to bringing God into your life, and thus the life of others and the rest of humanity. She was candid about her difficulties and joys. One to read every so often to keep on track. I really feel it has put me on a path to being closer to the LORD.
February 21, 2019
Some helpful content here, and narrative of changes in how she heard from God cone across well, particularly in early part of book. Has at least something for most theological traditions. Main problem is that her suggestions seem to require a lot of time, and very unlikely to be practical for someone working. While I'm sure she didn't intend this, it also came across as quite self-centred, both in terms of this style of spirituality (which seemed to over emphasise the individual at the cost of the church), and in her interactions recorded with some who didn't agree.
February 8, 2022
I enjoyed this book and recommend it. It made me change my view of 'retreats', praying in silence and listening to God. I feel sure I attempted to read this in my late teens, but gave up. However, re-reading it now, it all made sense. I am very pleased to find that it is still in print. It deserves to be.
October 16, 2022
An old favourite but still so relevant for today. With the busyness and noise of the 21st century, we need to give time to silence and allowing God to speak. Prayer is so much more than just asking God for help - He wants a relationship with us - with all our mind and body and soul. We need to 'waste time' with Him.
October 14, 2022
This was the book I’ve been looking to read in 2 months of being a Christian- practical advice about prayer, silence, Bible study and discerning God’s voice; all backed up with scripture and examples from Joyce’s (and others’) lives.
Fantastic book.
100% recommend
Fantastic book.
100% recommend
February 19, 2023
Even as an atheist, I enjoyed reading Huggett's book. She seems extremely connected to her religion, and it clearly makes her very content in life. I enjoyed reading about someone truly spiritual and just happy with her religion.
June 5, 2018
Well-written, with refreshing honesty, encouraging and challenging. Well-worth reading.
December 17, 2019
Surprisingly good. Little hidden gem on contemplative prayer.
April 1, 2020
Great book on a journey of discovering a life of listening to God and obeying Him.
January 6, 2021
Inspiring and energising to pray in this way again.
August 15, 2022
Joyce Huggett takes us on her journey of learning to listen to God. I found it practical and helpful and addresses many ways to grow in our faith.
May 25, 2020
Love how personal this book felt! Made a potentially dense and heavy discussion so much easier to digest. It was like being in a room with someone and listening to them share their life story - thoroughly engaging. Also appreciated how practical steps were included in every chapter. Only downside is the slight mismatch in contextual relevance (but ok this book was released around 30 years ago so). Still, a very practical insightful book!
March 31, 2012
Although this is a book on contemplative prayer, there is plenty in it to appeal to those of us who just want to learn more about Listening to God, but are not called to contemplation. The book follows Joyce Hugget's journey from her first calling to contemplative prayer, through her trials and tribulations, to where she was at the time of publication. It covers suggestions for how to set up a prayer room, different ways of moving into prayer, positions for praying, types of bible reading, and support from others on the same journey. It is full of interesting ideas and is written in a very easy to read manner. Overall, I found much to try in it and am extremely pleased to have read it.
November 30, 2009
An awesome book - I've read it a chapter a week to help me to digest the content. Joyce writes very honestly about how she developed her listening skills - and the benefits and problems she encountered. I've been trying to use some of her ideas and it's fab! Seeing God in the natural world (rather than simply enjoying it as something God has made) is a relevation and the picture of God wanting to provide for all the areas of my life, like the veins on a leaf will stay with me.
December 6, 2016
This was a well-written and well-crafted book - it simply wasn't what I was looking for. This is a personal narrative about one person's journey into prayer. If, when considering the idea of having a deeply intimate prayer life, you become full of despair or consider it out of reach, this IS a book for you. Huggett brings the reader into her story and weaves Scripture throughout to give authority to her experiences.
July 2, 2011
The majority of the book is excellent (assuming you are interested in listening to God). It is written in a way that implies that everyone can have the same experiences as the author. Later in the book she discusses that this is not the case, however I still found that the book often made me feel inadequate and depressed rather than encouraged to pursue God.
Read
August 12, 2011An absolute must-read for every Christian. It is full of helpful tips and she was refreshingly honest about how she has struggled with listening prayer. Helped me to understand too that I am a thinking extrovert and that different people will pray in different ways. Highly recommend.
February 21, 2012
Very informative.
March 2, 2013
A great introduction to the art of listening prayer, and something to refer to again and again on the journey.
January 29, 2017
Not so sure about this one tbh
April 13, 2017
A contemplative look at the author's journey. Inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews