We come before the Lord with this heartfelt plea, asking for ears to hear His Word. Father, Your Word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). We recognize that without Your Holy Spirit, our ears are dull, and our hearts are hardened. We ask, Lord, that You would soften our hearts and open our ears to receive Your truth.
We pray that You would remove any distractions, any pride, or any sin that would hinder us from hearing Your voice clearly. Help us to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20). Father, we desire to be doers of Your Word, not hearers only, deceiving ourselves (James 1:22). May Your Word take root in our hearts and bear fruit in our lives, that we may walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we have been called (Ephesians 4:1).
Lord, we also pray for those who may be struggling to hear Your voice. Perhaps they are weighed down by the cares of this world, or maybe they have not yet come to know You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We know that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). So, we ask that You would send laborers into the harvest field to proclaim Your truth, that all may have the opportunity to hear and believe (Matthew 9:38).
We rebuke any spirit of deafness or rebellion that would seek to keep us or others from hearing Your Word. We declare that our ears are open to Your truth, and our hearts are receptive to Your leading. We choose to set aside our own understanding and submit to Your perfect will, for Your ways are higher than our ways, and Your thoughts than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Father, we thank You for the precious gift of Your Word. May it be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). May it guide us, correct us, and encourage us as we seek to live lives that honor and glorify You. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.