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Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER • The question isn't whether God speaks. The question is what does He have to say to you? The New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker teaches readers how to listen to God.
WINNER OF THE ECPA CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARD FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING
The voice that spoke the cosmos into existence is the same voice that parted the Red Sea, and made the sun stand still in the midday sky. One day, this voice will make all things new, but it’s also speaking to you now!
That voice is God’s voice, and what we’ve learned from Scripture is that He often speaks in a whisper. Not to make it difficult to hear Him, but to draw us close.
Many people have a tough time believing God still speaks. Sure, in ancient times and in mysterious ways, God spoke to His people, but is He still speaking now?
Mark Batterson certainly believes so. And he wants to introduce you to the seven love languages of God; each of them unique and entirely divine. Some of them you might suspect but others will surprise you.
By learning to tune in to and decipher each language, you’ll be able to hear His guidance in simple as well as life-altering choices. God is actively speaking Scripture, Desires, Doors, Dreams, People, Promptings, and Pain. Batterson gives you the tools you need to unlock each of these languages.
God’s whisper can answer your most burning questions, calm your deepest fears, and fulfill your loftiest dreams.
Discover how simple it is to hear God’s voice in every aspect of your life!
He’s speaking, make sure you know how to listen!
WINNER OF THE ECPA CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARD FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING
The voice that spoke the cosmos into existence is the same voice that parted the Red Sea, and made the sun stand still in the midday sky. One day, this voice will make all things new, but it’s also speaking to you now!
That voice is God’s voice, and what we’ve learned from Scripture is that He often speaks in a whisper. Not to make it difficult to hear Him, but to draw us close.
Many people have a tough time believing God still speaks. Sure, in ancient times and in mysterious ways, God spoke to His people, but is He still speaking now?
Mark Batterson certainly believes so. And he wants to introduce you to the seven love languages of God; each of them unique and entirely divine. Some of them you might suspect but others will surprise you.
By learning to tune in to and decipher each language, you’ll be able to hear His guidance in simple as well as life-altering choices. God is actively speaking Scripture, Desires, Doors, Dreams, People, Promptings, and Pain. Batterson gives you the tools you need to unlock each of these languages.
God’s whisper can answer your most burning questions, calm your deepest fears, and fulfill your loftiest dreams.
Discover how simple it is to hear God’s voice in every aspect of your life!
He’s speaking, make sure you know how to listen!
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 24, 2017
1199 people are currently reading
3573 people want to read
About the author
Mark Batterson
188 books1,115 followersMark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. One church in seven locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, and the DC Dream Center. NCC is currently developing a city block into The Capital Turnaround. This 100,000-square-foot space will include an event venue, child development center, mixed-use marketplace, and co-working space. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times best-selling author of seventeen books, including The Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, Play the Man, Whisper, and, most recently, Double Blessing. Mark and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children: Parker, Summer, and Josiah.
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September 7, 2017
Does God still speak today? If the answer is, “Yes,” then what language does he speak? How can I train myself to hear his voice? These are the questions posed in Mark Batterson’s latest offering, Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God.
The author’s premise is that the God who spoke the universe into existence still speaks today. The title of the book comes from 1 Kings 19:12 where God spoke to Elijah in a whisper, or a still small voice. Batterson suggests that God has seven love languages that he uses to communicate to his people—Scripture, desires, doors, dreams, people, promptings, and pain. The author weaves together numerous stories, illustrations, personal examples, and biblical principles to communicate his ideas.
While I agree with his basic premise and while I enjoyed and was encouraged by his illustrations, I have three reservations about the book. One reservation is that he tends to put desires, doors, dreams, people, promptings, and pain on the same level as Scripture. While he argues that Scripture is the most important, the “key of keys,” he tends to elevate the others to equal or greater importance. In so doing, he makes experience equal to or more important than Scripture.
A second reservation is that he takes a single example, such as how God closed a door for the apostle Paul in Asia (Acts 16:6), and makes it a standard practice we should follow today. In contrast, Hebrews 1:1-2 says that in times past, God spoke in various ways but now he speaks through Christ and his Word.
A third reservation is that the premise of the book is more based on experience than it is on Scripture. His chapters start and end with illustrations, stories, and examples with Scripture used to support his ideas rather than teaching Scripture and using stories to illustrate his points. The bulk of the stories are personal ones about how God led the author and his church. By the end, you become a little weary of him always being the hero or focus of the tale.
A more biblical study would be Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. Blackaby argues that the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Bible and prayer and confirms it through circumstances and people. Blackaby’s approach keeps Scripture primary and circumstances and people secondary.
I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The author’s premise is that the God who spoke the universe into existence still speaks today. The title of the book comes from 1 Kings 19:12 where God spoke to Elijah in a whisper, or a still small voice. Batterson suggests that God has seven love languages that he uses to communicate to his people—Scripture, desires, doors, dreams, people, promptings, and pain. The author weaves together numerous stories, illustrations, personal examples, and biblical principles to communicate his ideas.
While I agree with his basic premise and while I enjoyed and was encouraged by his illustrations, I have three reservations about the book. One reservation is that he tends to put desires, doors, dreams, people, promptings, and pain on the same level as Scripture. While he argues that Scripture is the most important, the “key of keys,” he tends to elevate the others to equal or greater importance. In so doing, he makes experience equal to or more important than Scripture.
A second reservation is that he takes a single example, such as how God closed a door for the apostle Paul in Asia (Acts 16:6), and makes it a standard practice we should follow today. In contrast, Hebrews 1:1-2 says that in times past, God spoke in various ways but now he speaks through Christ and his Word.
A third reservation is that the premise of the book is more based on experience than it is on Scripture. His chapters start and end with illustrations, stories, and examples with Scripture used to support his ideas rather than teaching Scripture and using stories to illustrate his points. The bulk of the stories are personal ones about how God led the author and his church. By the end, you become a little weary of him always being the hero or focus of the tale.
A more biblical study would be Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. Blackaby argues that the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Bible and prayer and confirms it through circumstances and people. Blackaby’s approach keeps Scripture primary and circumstances and people secondary.
I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
October 5, 2020
This was my second Mark Batterson book and I must say it was just as phenomenal as "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day". The points he makes and the explanations he gives make easy to understand and relatable. I am seriously looking forward to his other books and am even considering taking a family trip to visit his church.
February 27, 2024
I read a book by Noah Asher and Steven Furtick and this book showed up as a recommendation. I'm so glad it did. This book has changed my life in so many ways. Mark Batterson is such a great communicator and writer. There are only a few Christian nonfiction authors I read and now Batterson adds to this list. Highly recommend.
October 24, 2017
If I had to use adjectives to describe this book, they'd be Powerful, Deep, Life-Changing, Awesome, Course-Altering, Inspiring.
I could go on but you get the picture. Mark goes into detail about the light and what happened when God said, "Let there be light." I had no idea the scope of those four words."
Hearing - This section reminded me of the zenith times in my life when hearing from God changed the direction of my life. Both were in quiet places.
I read this book in small sections, finding myself going back over and over again. The gems are so precious, the wisdom, deep and life-changing. Read to know how to understand the will of God by learning about Maxwell Smart.
The stories before the lessons take the message deeper. And those stories are very interesting.
I love this book because it orchestrates change. It's powerful and cutting, and interesting.
I could go on but you get the picture. Mark goes into detail about the light and what happened when God said, "Let there be light." I had no idea the scope of those four words."
Hearing - This section reminded me of the zenith times in my life when hearing from God changed the direction of my life. Both were in quiet places.
I read this book in small sections, finding myself going back over and over again. The gems are so precious, the wisdom, deep and life-changing. Read to know how to understand the will of God by learning about Maxwell Smart.
The stories before the lessons take the message deeper. And those stories are very interesting.
I love this book because it orchestrates change. It's powerful and cutting, and interesting.
October 1, 2017
One of the best and most inspiring books I’ve ever read. <3
July 24, 2021
I love any book written by Mark Batterson and "Whisper" was another amazing read! In this book, Batterson talks about how to hear the whispers of God's voice and to recognize his promptings and leadings. Batterson also walks through the Seven Love Languages of God, some including Dreams, Doors, People, Promptings, Pain, etc. Batterson uses personal examples from his life, Scripture verses from the Bible, quotes from inspirational books and my personal favorite...pieces of history that connect to his points. This book inspired me to pray bolder prayers and believe God for greater things. I will look at "coincidences" or insomnia or random connections or open doors a little more closely now...knowing that God can be speaking to me in the adjustments and movements that are happening in my life. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants an entertaining yet profound read about getting to know God better in the pain, in the joy and every moment in between!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2017
Psalm 19 describes two forms of divine revelation. The first is general revelation: “The heavens declare the glory of God” (verse 1). The second is special revelation: “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul” (verse 7).
What strikes me most about both forms of revelation is how pervasive they are in terms of space and time. Space: the heavens’ “voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (verse 4). Time: “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever” (verse 9). (In verses 7–10, fear is synonymous with the words law, statutes, precepts, commands, and decrees.)
God speaks everywhere and at all times, in other words. If that’s the case, then the most important spiritual question is how to hear His voice. That’s the question my friend Mark Batterson takes up in his new book, Whisper.
Mark outlines seven ways God speaks to us:
1. Scripture
2. Desires
3. Doors
4. Dreams
5. People
6. Promptings
7. Pain
He admits that this is “not an exhaustive list by any means.” There is not a chapter on how God speaks through nature, which, he concedes jokingly, “seems like a sin of omission.” I personally would have liked to see a chapter on how God speaks to us through reason. Perhaps you would like to see a chapter on some other form of divine communication. “The reality?” Mark writes: “God speaks billions of dialects, including yours.”
These dialects are not equal, however. Mark describes Scripture as the “Rosetta Stone” and “The Key of Keys.” It’s the interpretive grid through which all other forms of divine communication must be run. He explains:
"God will never lead us to do something that is contrary to His good, pleasing, and perfect will as revealed in Scripture. That said, Scripture doesn’t reveal the logistics. That’s the job of the Holy Spirit. Scripture doesn’t reveal whether we should go here or there. It doesn’t nuance whether we should do this, that, or the other thing. And although its truth is timeless, it doesn’t reveal now or later. Scripture gives us guidelines, but the Holy Spirit is our Guide [emphasis in original]."
When I first read that statement, I thought to myself: Only a Pentecostal could write that. I don’t mean that merely in the narrow sense of denominational affiliation. (Mark is an Assemblies of God minister, as am I.) What I mean is that only a person who believes Acts 2 is paradigmatic rather than merely descriptive can be confident that God’s Spirit continues to guide us in the nitty-gritty logistics as well as the broad, biblical guidelines. That said, Whisper doesn’t engage in flights of charismatic fancy. Mark shows what Scripture itself says about God speaking to us in these seven languages.
I’ll close with a quote from the book’s Epilogue, which epitomizes the content of God’s speech:
"God wants us to hear what He’s saying, and we must heed His voice. But much more than that, He wants us to hear His heart. So He whispers softer and softer so that we have to get closer and closer. And when we finally get close enough, He envelops us in His arms and tells us that He loves us."
This is good news, as well as a reminder that if you haven’t heard God’s love in God’s Word, you haven’t listened closely enough.
Book Reviewed
Mark Batterson, Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God (Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah, 2017).
P.S. This review was written for InfluenceMagazine.com and appears here by permission.
P.P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
What strikes me most about both forms of revelation is how pervasive they are in terms of space and time. Space: the heavens’ “voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (verse 4). Time: “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever” (verse 9). (In verses 7–10, fear is synonymous with the words law, statutes, precepts, commands, and decrees.)
God speaks everywhere and at all times, in other words. If that’s the case, then the most important spiritual question is how to hear His voice. That’s the question my friend Mark Batterson takes up in his new book, Whisper.
Mark outlines seven ways God speaks to us:
1. Scripture
2. Desires
3. Doors
4. Dreams
5. People
6. Promptings
7. Pain
He admits that this is “not an exhaustive list by any means.” There is not a chapter on how God speaks through nature, which, he concedes jokingly, “seems like a sin of omission.” I personally would have liked to see a chapter on how God speaks to us through reason. Perhaps you would like to see a chapter on some other form of divine communication. “The reality?” Mark writes: “God speaks billions of dialects, including yours.”
These dialects are not equal, however. Mark describes Scripture as the “Rosetta Stone” and “The Key of Keys.” It’s the interpretive grid through which all other forms of divine communication must be run. He explains:
"God will never lead us to do something that is contrary to His good, pleasing, and perfect will as revealed in Scripture. That said, Scripture doesn’t reveal the logistics. That’s the job of the Holy Spirit. Scripture doesn’t reveal whether we should go here or there. It doesn’t nuance whether we should do this, that, or the other thing. And although its truth is timeless, it doesn’t reveal now or later. Scripture gives us guidelines, but the Holy Spirit is our Guide [emphasis in original]."
When I first read that statement, I thought to myself: Only a Pentecostal could write that. I don’t mean that merely in the narrow sense of denominational affiliation. (Mark is an Assemblies of God minister, as am I.) What I mean is that only a person who believes Acts 2 is paradigmatic rather than merely descriptive can be confident that God’s Spirit continues to guide us in the nitty-gritty logistics as well as the broad, biblical guidelines. That said, Whisper doesn’t engage in flights of charismatic fancy. Mark shows what Scripture itself says about God speaking to us in these seven languages.
I’ll close with a quote from the book’s Epilogue, which epitomizes the content of God’s speech:
"God wants us to hear what He’s saying, and we must heed His voice. But much more than that, He wants us to hear His heart. So He whispers softer and softer so that we have to get closer and closer. And when we finally get close enough, He envelops us in His arms and tells us that He loves us."
This is good news, as well as a reminder that if you haven’t heard God’s love in God’s Word, you haven’t listened closely enough.
Book Reviewed
Mark Batterson, Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God (Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah, 2017).
P.S. This review was written for InfluenceMagazine.com and appears here by permission.
P.P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
November 30, 2023
I listened to this on audio, and loved it so much that I bought a physical copy for my daughter for Christmas...hope she is impacted as much as I was!
February 1, 2024
Someone mentioned this author, Mark Batterson. I read a different book of his that was specifically noted at the time, but it was no coincidence that the title of this book pulled me in. I wouldn’t have found it unless I hadn’t gone looking for the author, which was obviously a nudge. There’s so much noise and chaos, I know I can’t “hear” generally. I tell my kids there is a difference between hearing something and truly listening. This book is not only making me a better listener, but felt like a big “soulful hug” I’ve needed of late. I know I will reread it.
April 23, 2018
We read this book as part of a book study with a small group. Unfortunately, this book did little to deliver in the way of new, helpful, usable information. If you attend a Christian church, chances are high you've heard most of this information already. The author writes in platitudes and exercises his vocabulary as though he's lording it over you. These complaints were a common theme in our group. Skip it.
March 25, 2024
To quote Remedy - “Slightly changed everything for me”
October 21, 2017
Another Thought Provoking Book From Mark Batterson!
One of the things that I love most about Mark Batterson is the detailed writing and additional references and analogies that he provides to back up his statements. Although you might be reading something about Christianity that contains references of scripture, he will also include anecdotes from science, history, international culture, arts and more to help substantiate his points. He is extremely well read and as a reader of his books we benefit from all of this knowledge. This book is no exception.
In this book, the reader will learn how the ear processes sound, how sound travels, the importance of silence, how opera singers train, etc. However, I found that many of his additional references started to detract from the simplicity of his message about how to hear from God. Regardless of that, this book and all that it contains is a worthy journey to help you understand all the different ways that God can speak to His people. As always, Mark Batterson provides some very thoughtful reading!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.
One of the things that I love most about Mark Batterson is the detailed writing and additional references and analogies that he provides to back up his statements. Although you might be reading something about Christianity that contains references of scripture, he will also include anecdotes from science, history, international culture, arts and more to help substantiate his points. He is extremely well read and as a reader of his books we benefit from all of this knowledge. This book is no exception.
In this book, the reader will learn how the ear processes sound, how sound travels, the importance of silence, how opera singers train, etc. However, I found that many of his additional references started to detract from the simplicity of his message about how to hear from God. Regardless of that, this book and all that it contains is a worthy journey to help you understand all the different ways that God can speak to His people. As always, Mark Batterson provides some very thoughtful reading!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.
November 26, 2018
Terrible
He talks about himself entirely too much. I got tired of reading about how wonderful he is. And he never tells us how to hear the voice of God. Or maybe I missed it because he put me to sleep. Spend your money on something else.
He talks about himself entirely too much. I got tired of reading about how wonderful he is. And he never tells us how to hear the voice of God. Or maybe I missed it because he put me to sleep. Spend your money on something else.
September 24, 2023
This is a must-read for people who feel distant from Christ while not really knowing the reason(s) why. I resonated with a lot of Batterson's perceptions regarding the movement of the Spirit, and he brings in a lot of examples of other people's lives in which you can see it— but what helped unclog me were Batterson's practical approaches interspersed throughout the chapters of God's "love languages." My experience with this book was interesting because a friend encouraged me to take inventory of my desires around the same time I was reading/processing the chapter on desires, which really helped me to know that God is with me in those things rather than condemning me for them.
This read is not a one-and-done or a quick fix by far— I will be dwelling on what was written through the rest of the year. To be more in tune with the Spirit and the voice of God is something that understandably takes time and effort, just like deep relationships do in our current reality. This book helps articulate those parts that might be a little fuzzy in your mind, but you get what you put in— the fuzziness clears as much as you are willing to open your heart to God and really explore those areas with Him. Even though there's so many bumps in the road, it's such a beautiful journey.
This read is not a one-and-done or a quick fix by far— I will be dwelling on what was written through the rest of the year. To be more in tune with the Spirit and the voice of God is something that understandably takes time and effort, just like deep relationships do in our current reality. This book helps articulate those parts that might be a little fuzzy in your mind, but you get what you put in— the fuzziness clears as much as you are willing to open your heart to God and really explore those areas with Him. Even though there's so many bumps in the road, it's such a beautiful journey.
October 10, 2024
I highlighted and wrote down a lot of good quotes from this book about how to hear God and grow closer to God but some of the storytelling using historical examples felt a little repetitive and mundane for me. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone struggling with discerning when God is speaking to you vs other voices influencing you.
August 2, 2018
A surprisingly deep, intellectual, and emotional book about God's endless love for His children.
January 22, 2018
Having never read anything by Mark Batterson, I wasn't sure what to expect. He has authored eleven New York Times bestsellers, and his book, The Circle Maker, is wildly popular. Though I try to stay away from other people's opinions about a book I am reviewing, I did glimpse a plug by Christine Caine lauding Whisper as a book I wouldn't be able to put down. So, I dived in with great expectations.
After the first chapter, I wanted to throw Whisper out the window. For me, reading this book was like trying to have a conversation with a know-it-all. Good information exists somewhere within all the words, but it's hidden among facts and tidbits and a minutia of extraneous information. Almost like the speaker (or author) is trying to prove how smart they are, or how qualified. Clearly, Mark Batterson is ridiculously smart or well researched. Probably both. But there are so many pretentious factoids in this book, I could not hear his intended message. Ironic for a book about how to hear the voice of God.
Or maybe Batterson wanted readers to practice discerning important messages hidden clutter.
Or maybe I am not very smart.
Within the first 50 pages, readers learn nifty trivia regard the eruption of Krakatoa (p. 14), the effects of noise in a classroom (p. 15), the composition of Beetoven's Fifth Symphony (p. 17), the electron shell of a carbon atom (p.17), the Hubble telescope (p. 21), the mechanics of the human voice (p. 25), the difference between ultrasonic and infrasonic (p. 25), facts about the expanding solar system (p. 26), the engravings over Carl Jung's door (p.32), the layout of Washington DC (p. 32), statues in the White House (p. 37), and the inverse square law (p.43). (And I only listed the highlights.)
There are 32 Notes for the eleven pages comprising Chapter One. Subtracting the ten scriptures leaves 22 notes or two per page. That is a lot of references in my opinion.
Granted, most of these specifically relate to sound and were likely included to demonstrate vital points or underscore the validity of Batterson's claims. However, said claims are but a whisper amidst the cacophony of fiddle-faddle.
But true seekers don't give up. They recognize the initial trial only exists to weed out the weak and uncommitted. And I truly wanted to learn how to hear the voice of God.
The initial test ends on page 88. The reward for passing is a list of caution signs helping believers discern if our desires are from God or from ourselves. The italicized key points act like navigational beacons in a sea of triviality. The fog doesn't lift, but at least we can steer.
Batterson asserts God has seven "love languages" (offering no shout-out to Gary Chapman). They are Scripture, desires, doors, dreams, people, promptings, and pain. Excluding the chapter on Scripture, I feel Batterson eventually explains how God speaks through these "languages," but I don't think enough information was given for a non-native speaker to learn how to hear God's voice.
Batterson's style isn't for me. If you are a trivia buff or enjoy slogging through impersonal rhetoric in search of secret knowledge, I highly recommend this book. Maybe you can make it to the end with a greater understanding of how to hear the voice of God and win the ultimate prize: the actual ability to apply the author's knowledge in a practical and meaningful way.
But people like me, who enjoy candid and relatable non-fiction told in a simple and humble way, might want to skip this one.
After the first chapter, I wanted to throw Whisper out the window. For me, reading this book was like trying to have a conversation with a know-it-all. Good information exists somewhere within all the words, but it's hidden among facts and tidbits and a minutia of extraneous information. Almost like the speaker (or author) is trying to prove how smart they are, or how qualified. Clearly, Mark Batterson is ridiculously smart or well researched. Probably both. But there are so many pretentious factoids in this book, I could not hear his intended message. Ironic for a book about how to hear the voice of God.
Or maybe Batterson wanted readers to practice discerning important messages hidden clutter.
Or maybe I am not very smart.
Within the first 50 pages, readers learn nifty trivia regard the eruption of Krakatoa (p. 14), the effects of noise in a classroom (p. 15), the composition of Beetoven's Fifth Symphony (p. 17), the electron shell of a carbon atom (p.17), the Hubble telescope (p. 21), the mechanics of the human voice (p. 25), the difference between ultrasonic and infrasonic (p. 25), facts about the expanding solar system (p. 26), the engravings over Carl Jung's door (p.32), the layout of Washington DC (p. 32), statues in the White House (p. 37), and the inverse square law (p.43). (And I only listed the highlights.)
There are 32 Notes for the eleven pages comprising Chapter One. Subtracting the ten scriptures leaves 22 notes or two per page. That is a lot of references in my opinion.
Granted, most of these specifically relate to sound and were likely included to demonstrate vital points or underscore the validity of Batterson's claims. However, said claims are but a whisper amidst the cacophony of fiddle-faddle.
But true seekers don't give up. They recognize the initial trial only exists to weed out the weak and uncommitted. And I truly wanted to learn how to hear the voice of God.
The initial test ends on page 88. The reward for passing is a list of caution signs helping believers discern if our desires are from God or from ourselves. The italicized key points act like navigational beacons in a sea of triviality. The fog doesn't lift, but at least we can steer.
Batterson asserts God has seven "love languages" (offering no shout-out to Gary Chapman). They are Scripture, desires, doors, dreams, people, promptings, and pain. Excluding the chapter on Scripture, I feel Batterson eventually explains how God speaks through these "languages," but I don't think enough information was given for a non-native speaker to learn how to hear God's voice.
Batterson's style isn't for me. If you are a trivia buff or enjoy slogging through impersonal rhetoric in search of secret knowledge, I highly recommend this book. Maybe you can make it to the end with a greater understanding of how to hear the voice of God and win the ultimate prize: the actual ability to apply the author's knowledge in a practical and meaningful way.
But people like me, who enjoy candid and relatable non-fiction told in a simple and humble way, might want to skip this one.
September 28, 2017
Whisper is a very difficult book to write a review about because there is so much in it. I have a habit of turning over the corner of the pages that I have a quote I want to review later. After one reading I counted the pages that the corners were turned – there were 50!
Whisper addresses the question of “How to hear the voice of God”. It discusses seven languages that God uses, but does not limit the methods to seven. In the prologue, Batterson says, “If you aren’t willing to listen to everything God has to say, you eventually won’t hear anything He has to say. If you want to hear His comforting voice, you have to listen to His convicting voice. And it’s often what we want to hear least that we need to hear most.” Towards the end reminds us that “…what we perceive to be relational or emotional or spiritual problems are, in fact, hearing problems. … We are deafened by the voice of conformity, the voice of criticism, and voice of condemnation, and the side effects include loneliness, shame and anxiety.”
Whisper is a great read if you are interested in hearing the voice of God. And if you are like me you will read it more than once.
Whisper addresses the question of “How to hear the voice of God”. It discusses seven languages that God uses, but does not limit the methods to seven. In the prologue, Batterson says, “If you aren’t willing to listen to everything God has to say, you eventually won’t hear anything He has to say. If you want to hear His comforting voice, you have to listen to His convicting voice. And it’s often what we want to hear least that we need to hear most.” Towards the end reminds us that “…what we perceive to be relational or emotional or spiritual problems are, in fact, hearing problems. … We are deafened by the voice of conformity, the voice of criticism, and voice of condemnation, and the side effects include loneliness, shame and anxiety.”
Whisper is a great read if you are interested in hearing the voice of God. And if you are like me you will read it more than once.
February 11, 2024
Kept me engaged to the last page!!!!
Read
September 12, 2017Mark Batterson comes through with another great book about the many ways God speaks to us. Have you ever wondered if a particular situation was really placed there by God, or if it is just luck? Have you ever thought God was NOT there for you? This book shows the many ways God speaks to us every day if we are just open to listening. My favorite quote from the book deals with finding yourself in what feels like a hopeless situation, for you or someone else. The person states "Don't rob God of the opportunity to do a miracle." Every time we try to "fix" something, we are interfering in God's plan. We need to step back, listen and be open for God to speak to us every day.
June 21, 2018
Read and listened to the audiobook. Excellent. Filled with practical examples of how God speaks to us.
April 22, 2023
I enjoyed the book. Lots of applicable info and ideas. Feel like I needed a good spiritual read. And now I want to go to Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse in D.C. ☕️😃
October 19, 2017
Batterson suggests that our ears have been deafened to the voice of God. Learning to hear the voice of God is the solution to many of our problems. Hence this book.
I really like many of Batterson's insights. One was about the nature of whispering. When someone whispers, you have to get close to hear what is said. It makes sense that God would whisper to us, drawing us close to Him. Batterson reminds us of the importance of silence and the distraction of noise. No wonder we have been deaf to the whispers of God.
Batterson has the goal of helping us learn how to discern the voice of God in the ways He speaks to us. We all hear God differently as God speaks to different personalities in different ways. He helps us determine our unique whispering spot to hear from God.
The seven ways God speaks to us include Scripture (the final authority for all we hear), desires (we are to delight in Him), doors (tests to keep us from less than God's best), dreams (how to evaluate them and trust God), people (remembering that they and we are imperfect), promptings (discerning holy moments), and pain (perhaps speaking something that cannot be said any other way).
I recommend this book for anyone wanting to hear God speak. You'll receive good teaching on how to place yourself to hear the whisper. The book is very readable too as Batterson tells lots of entertaining and informative stories, like the history of vanilla.
Food for thought: “If you want to hear the heart of God, silence is key.” (16)
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
I really like many of Batterson's insights. One was about the nature of whispering. When someone whispers, you have to get close to hear what is said. It makes sense that God would whisper to us, drawing us close to Him. Batterson reminds us of the importance of silence and the distraction of noise. No wonder we have been deaf to the whispers of God.
Batterson has the goal of helping us learn how to discern the voice of God in the ways He speaks to us. We all hear God differently as God speaks to different personalities in different ways. He helps us determine our unique whispering spot to hear from God.
The seven ways God speaks to us include Scripture (the final authority for all we hear), desires (we are to delight in Him), doors (tests to keep us from less than God's best), dreams (how to evaluate them and trust God), people (remembering that they and we are imperfect), promptings (discerning holy moments), and pain (perhaps speaking something that cannot be said any other way).
I recommend this book for anyone wanting to hear God speak. You'll receive good teaching on how to place yourself to hear the whisper. The book is very readable too as Batterson tells lots of entertaining and informative stories, like the history of vanilla.
Food for thought: “If you want to hear the heart of God, silence is key.” (16)
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
October 25, 2017
SPECTACULAR!
Most people want to know if God’s still speaks to His people today. That’s the premise behind WHISPER: How to Hear the Voice of God. Mark Batterson has written a masterful work on knowing how to listen and hear when God speaks today. Batterson sets forth Seven Ways God Speaks Today and gives Alan great discourse on each of them. He eloquently describes how to pray the bravest prayer, how to be still and know and hear God’s voice clearly over other voices, how to trust God even when we don’t understand and oh so much more! When you want to get someone’s attention – you lean in close enough to WHISPER in their ear. It’s intimate. Caring. Vulnerable and completely trusting. That’s the relationship God desires to have with each of us! Leaning into HIM to HEAR His WHISPER. HIS is the only voice we need to hear! I was provided an ARC of this book by the author and Waterbrook–Multnomah. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence. I preordered a copy of this book for my own personal library.
Most people want to know if God’s still speaks to His people today. That’s the premise behind WHISPER: How to Hear the Voice of God. Mark Batterson has written a masterful work on knowing how to listen and hear when God speaks today. Batterson sets forth Seven Ways God Speaks Today and gives Alan great discourse on each of them. He eloquently describes how to pray the bravest prayer, how to be still and know and hear God’s voice clearly over other voices, how to trust God even when we don’t understand and oh so much more! When you want to get someone’s attention – you lean in close enough to WHISPER in their ear. It’s intimate. Caring. Vulnerable and completely trusting. That’s the relationship God desires to have with each of us! Leaning into HIM to HEAR His WHISPER. HIS is the only voice we need to hear! I was provided an ARC of this book by the author and Waterbrook–Multnomah. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence. I preordered a copy of this book for my own personal library.
September 22, 2017
It’s so hard to communicate this without sounding trite, but this is simply one of the best books I’ve read on the subject of hearing God’s voice. Written in a way that causes you feel as if you are face to face with author Mark Batterson and chatting over a cup of coffee, I learned so much from Whisper. And not only did I learn new things, I also learned that I am doing a lot right!
There are many ways to hear the voice of God, and Mark talks about seven of them. Giving examples from life, we see that God is actively speaking to us, and we are encouraged to tune in to that Voice. There were many “take aways” from this book, but one that really struck me was when Mark was speaking of Mary Magdalene. He stated, “We write people off. Jesus writes people in.” God doesn’t give up on broken people!
Do you want to hear God’s quiet whisper? Please take the time to read this book and learn how you can do that.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
There are many ways to hear the voice of God, and Mark talks about seven of them. Giving examples from life, we see that God is actively speaking to us, and we are encouraged to tune in to that Voice. There were many “take aways” from this book, but one that really struck me was when Mark was speaking of Mary Magdalene. He stated, “We write people off. Jesus writes people in.” God doesn’t give up on broken people!
Do you want to hear God’s quiet whisper? Please take the time to read this book and learn how you can do that.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
January 21, 2019
This book defines 7 ways God speaks to us. Each are languages of love
1. Through scripture which is the ultimate language that all others are to be filtered through.
2. Through our desires
3. Doors
4. Dreams
5. People
6. Promptings
7. Pain
I enjoyed the scientific data about our natural hearing which is designed by God and how it lines up against the “vibrations of The Holy Spirit”. Knowing these intricate details further shows us how miraculous creation was/is and that it was all designed by one and only - Our Creator - Our Heavenly Father.
Any reader can find themselves in this book if you are listening.
1. Through scripture which is the ultimate language that all others are to be filtered through.
2. Through our desires
3. Doors
4. Dreams
5. People
6. Promptings
7. Pain
I enjoyed the scientific data about our natural hearing which is designed by God and how it lines up against the “vibrations of The Holy Spirit”. Knowing these intricate details further shows us how miraculous creation was/is and that it was all designed by one and only - Our Creator - Our Heavenly Father.
Any reader can find themselves in this book if you are listening.
March 10, 2023
This is my second time reading through this book, and I can’t say enough good things about it. Tbh, the beginning has so many different stories sometimes I have a hard time following the point, but once he talks about the 7 languages of God, I’m hooked. I’ve experienced God talking in various of these ways (always in line with scripture with Batterson also makes clear), but I always need the reminders to be tuning in because the world/enemy wants to distract. I’d recommend this for any believer who doesn’t feel like they have an intimate relationship with God to hear ways that God is trying to speak (though I’d strongly encourage the reminder that ultimately we still have to make the decision to listen and obey because that’s when we see the fruit of what He’s said!).
November 28, 2017
I took my time reading this one because I ended up highlighting almost every single word. If you have ever wondered what God was trying to say to you, then I suggest listening. Be still and hear His voice whispering in your ear. Sometimes, it may be God is using his Word to speak to you, or through something else. But the main thing I got out of this book was to be still and listen for God to show you what He wants you to hear. The book was so easy to read. Mr. Batterson has a wonderful way of crafting stories in his books that convey the point he is making. I love that. I cannot tell you how awesome this book is. You just have to read it for yourself, and be blessed because you did.
July 11, 2023
The title of this book is somewhat misleading; I didn’t find it to be about the “how” so much as a “you could hear the voice of God in all these different ways.” Mark tended to start each chapter with an American history story to illustrate the chapter’s point however I found these stories to be a bit of a stretch sometimes, and they often left me with a feeling of his patriotism more so than thoughts about God. Mark is endlessly optimistic and I did enjoy hearing about the ways that God has come through in his life, especially when he makes the observation that things could have been coincidence or they could have been God.
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