We join with you in this earnest plea, for a heart that remains tender and receptive to the voice of the Lord is a treasure beyond measure. The world is full of distractions, hardships, and voices that seek to pull us away from the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit. Yet, our God is faithful, and He longs for us to draw near to Him with hearts that are humble and willing to obey.
The Scriptures remind us in Ezekiel 36:26-27, *"I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them."* This is the work of the Lord—He is the one who softens hearts, removes the hardness of rebellion, and fills us with His Spirit so that we may walk in His ways. It is not by our own strength but by His grace that we remain sensitive to His leading.
Yet, we must also take care to guard our hearts, as Proverbs 4:23 instructs: *"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is every issue of life."* This means we must be intentional in our pursuit of God—through prayer, reading His Word, fellowship with believers, and repentance when we stray. A soft heart is one that quickly turns from sin, seeks forgiveness, and clings to the truth of God’s love and righteousness.
We also remember the warning in Hebrews 3:12-13, *"Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God; but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called ‘today,’ lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."* Sin has a way of hardening our hearts if we allow it to take root. That is why we must continually examine ourselves, confess our sins, and turn back to the Lord with repentance.
Let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother/sister before You, asking that You would keep their heart soft and tender toward Your voice. Lord, in a world that so often calls us to hardness, rebellion, and self-reliance, we ask that You would guard their heart from the deceitfulness of sin. Fill them afresh with Your Holy Spirit, that they may walk in Your statutes and keep Your commandments. Remove any stony places within them and replace them with a heart of flesh—one that is quick to hear, quick to obey, and quick to repent.
Father, we ask that You would give them a hunger for Your Word, that they may meditate on it day and night and find their delight in You. Let them not be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of their mind, that they may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). Keep them close to You, Lord, and let them never lose the wonder of Your love and the awe of Your presence.
We pray that You would surround them with godly fellowship—brothers and sisters in Christ who will encourage them, exhort them, and hold them accountable in love. Let them not neglect the gathering together of believers, but let them spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Lord, we also ask that You would give them a spirit of humility, that they may always recognize their need for You. Let them never become proud or self-sufficient, but let them continually rely on Your strength and Your grace. Remind them that apart from You, they can do nothing (John 15:5), but with You, all things are possible.
We thank You, Father, for the promise that if we draw near to You, You will draw near to us (James 4:8). May our brother/sister experience the nearness of Your presence every day. Let them hear Your voice clearly, whether it comes as a still small whisper or a mighty roar. Give them the courage to obey, even when it is difficult, and the faith to trust You, even when they do not understand.
We ask all these things in the precious and mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who alone is worthy of all praise and honor. Amen.
We encourage you to continue seeking the Lord with all your heart. Spend time in His Word daily, for it is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Let it shape your thoughts, your desires, and your actions. And when you feel your heart beginning to harden—whether from disappointment, bitterness, or the cares of this world—turn to the Lord immediately. He is faithful to forgive and to restore.
Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30, *"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."* There is no burden too heavy for Him, no heart too hard for His touch. Trust in Him, and He will keep your heart soft and sensitive to His voice.