Hearing God’s Whisper
A Call to Holy Listening at St. John’s Presbyterian Church
By The Rev. Dr Jon Burnham, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas
In Houston’s constant noise, God’s voice can seem faint. Yet 1 Kings 19:12 tells us God spoke to Elijah not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a “gentle whisper.” At St. John’s Presbyterian Church, we’re learning to listen—not just hear—for God’s voice.
Listening is intentional. It’s tuning our hearts, as St. Benedict urged, to catch the Spirit’s nudge in Scripture, nature, or a kind word. Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (Mark 4:9). At St. John’s, we’re invited to slow down and truly listen.
Try This: Lectio Divina
Pick a short Gospel passage (e.g., Luke 15:11–24). For 10–15 minutes:
• Read slowly, noting what stands out.
• Reflect on why it speaks to you today.
• Respond to God in honest prayer.
• Rest in His presence, letting go of effort.
This practice helps us hear God’s whisper, bringing peace and clarity to serve our Houston community with love.
Prayer
Lord, teach us at St. John’s to listen for Your whisper.
Quiet our hearts and guide us to live with love.
Amen.
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Learn more in the book
When You Choose Silence on Amazon (https://a.co/d/1FRcgoN) for more on living with intention.
