1 00:00:02,710 --> 00:00:03,670 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:05,630 --> 00:00:07,580 Speaker 2: Teach Us to Pray is brought to you by Life 3 00:00:07,660 --> 00:00:10,640 Speaker 2: Audio and is a part of our Faith Toolkit series. 4 00:00:11,820 --> 00:00:17,240 Speaker 2: For more inspirational, faith-affirming podcasts, visit lifeaudio.com. 5 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:25,480 Speaker 1: As Christians, we are called to love God and love others. 6 00:00:26,020 --> 00:00:29,090 Speaker 1: But did you know that we also all have unique 7 00:00:29,290 --> 00:00:32,210 Speaker 1: and special ways that will play out in our lives? 8 00:00:32,790 --> 00:00:36,029 Speaker 1: If you've ever questioned what God is calling you to 9 00:00:36,050 --> 00:00:39,810 Speaker 1: do with the one life you're blessed with, today's episode 10 00:00:39,909 --> 00:00:42,430 Speaker 1: of the Teach Us to Pray podcast is sure to 11 00:00:42,909 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: be of help. 12 00:00:52,670 --> 00:00:53,790 Speaker 3: Welcome back, friend. 13 00:00:54,070 --> 00:00:56,870 Speaker 1: You are listening to the Teach Us to Pray podcast, 14 00:00:57,150 --> 00:01:00,860 Speaker 1: where we teach believers practical and real-life tips on how 15 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:03,940 Speaker 1: to grow your faith and relationship with God through the 16 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:07,320 Speaker 1: power of prayer. I'm Christina Patterson, host of the Teach 17 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 1: Us to Pray podcast and founder of Beloved Women, where 18 00:01:10,700 --> 00:01:13,850 Speaker 1: I encourage, equip, and empower women in the love of 19 00:01:13,910 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 1: Jesus Christ and the truth of God's Word. When it 20 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:20,569 Speaker 1: comes to understanding God's will for your life, speaker and 21 00:01:20,709 --> 00:01:24,590 Speaker 1: author Brittany Ann shares the importance of prayer in discovering 22 00:01:24,630 --> 00:01:28,569 Speaker 1: your purpose in today's interview. In this conversation, you will 23 00:01:28,610 --> 00:01:32,789 Speaker 1: learn practical tips on how you can clearly hear God's voice, 24 00:01:33,370 --> 00:01:35,870 Speaker 1: how to know if you are really hearing from God, 25 00:01:36,390 --> 00:01:40,050 Speaker 1: and a simple prayer to discover God's unique will for 26 00:01:40,090 --> 00:01:45,030 Speaker 1: your life. Now enjoy this enlightening and faith-filled conversation with 27 00:01:45,110 --> 00:01:50,250 Speaker 1: Brittany Ann. In your book, Follow God's Will, you talk 28 00:01:50,290 --> 00:01:53,410 Speaker 1: about the importance of praying to God to discover what 29 00:01:53,450 --> 00:01:56,750 Speaker 1: his will for your life is in the first place. 30 00:01:57,410 --> 00:02:01,130 Speaker 1: Do you have any practical tips to help us hear 31 00:02:01,230 --> 00:02:03,690 Speaker 1: God so that we can know what that will is? 32 00:02:04,150 --> 00:02:07,380 Speaker 3: Yeah, absolutely. That's a great question because it is great 33 00:02:07,580 --> 00:02:10,010 Speaker 3: when you pray. Like prayer is powerful. But if you 34 00:02:10,050 --> 00:02:13,010 Speaker 3: are praying and you're not also listening and you're not 35 00:02:13,190 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 3: hearing things, then it's not really going to help you 36 00:02:15,139 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 3: to just like send words out there and not getting 37 00:02:17,980 --> 00:02:20,000 Speaker 3: anything back. So the first thing I would say is 38 00:02:20,100 --> 00:02:23,519 Speaker 3: to spend time in scripture because so often we're like, God, 39 00:02:23,540 --> 00:02:25,119 Speaker 3: would you please speak to me? And he's like, I did. 40 00:02:25,220 --> 00:02:27,280 Speaker 3: I wrote you this huge book. Like it's full. It's 41 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:29,419 Speaker 3: got a lot of wisdom. It's got knowledge. Like I've 42 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 3: told you a lot of things in there. So that's 43 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:33,070 Speaker 3: one place that I always start because I'm like, there's 44 00:02:33,130 --> 00:02:35,710 Speaker 3: so much in there. And God speaks to us all 45 00:02:35,750 --> 00:02:38,329 Speaker 3: of the time through his word. And when we read 46 00:02:38,389 --> 00:02:41,250 Speaker 3: his word, then we learn what his voice sounds like. 47 00:02:41,770 --> 00:02:44,130 Speaker 3: So some people often are like, okay, well, I want 48 00:02:44,169 --> 00:02:46,190 Speaker 3: to hear God's voice, but how do I know if 49 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:49,060 Speaker 3: I'm hearing God's voice or something else? Reading the Bible 50 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:51,660 Speaker 3: is a way of training yourself to know what God's 51 00:02:51,900 --> 00:02:54,180 Speaker 3: voice sounds like. So back before we all had caller 52 00:02:54,220 --> 00:02:57,180 Speaker 3: ID on our cell phone and you just answered the phone, 53 00:02:57,320 --> 00:02:59,810 Speaker 3: you would know right away if it was a loved 54 00:02:59,870 --> 00:03:01,790 Speaker 3: one who was calling you. If your mom is calling you, 55 00:03:01,830 --> 00:03:04,070 Speaker 3: but you don't recognize the number, you know it's your mother. 56 00:03:04,130 --> 00:03:07,260 Speaker 3: You've heard her voice enough times that you recognize it. 57 00:03:07,710 --> 00:03:09,190 Speaker 3: Or I guess today, like if you were listening to 58 00:03:09,230 --> 00:03:11,889 Speaker 3: something on the radio and you like recognize some, like 59 00:03:11,930 --> 00:03:14,800 Speaker 3: a singer song before they say whose it is. Like 60 00:03:14,820 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 3: you've heard it enough times, you're familiar with it. And 61 00:03:17,919 --> 00:03:20,220 Speaker 3: the same thing happens with God's word. When you read 62 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:23,130 Speaker 3: God's word, you learn this is who God is. This 63 00:03:23,169 --> 00:03:24,850 Speaker 3: is what he sounds like. These are the kinds of 64 00:03:24,889 --> 00:03:26,770 Speaker 3: things he says and the kinds of things he doesn't say. 65 00:03:27,050 --> 00:03:28,790 Speaker 3: And so it just trains your ears to be able 66 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:31,620 Speaker 3: to recognize. So that's the first place I would start. 67 00:03:31,780 --> 00:03:33,500 Speaker 3: I would also say to make sure that you have 68 00:03:33,540 --> 00:03:37,820 Speaker 3: time for quiet. And so often in our society today, 69 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:40,620 Speaker 3: anytime that we have a minute, which first of all 70 00:03:40,660 --> 00:03:43,290 Speaker 3: is a rare, we are filling our schedules full of 71 00:03:43,770 --> 00:03:46,130 Speaker 3: the husband needs things, the kids need things, the dog 72 00:03:46,170 --> 00:03:49,350 Speaker 3: needs things, the volunteering and work and all of the things. 73 00:03:50,130 --> 00:03:51,590 Speaker 3: So it's hard to get a minute. But when we 74 00:03:51,670 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 3: do have those minutes, it's like, are you immediately pulling 75 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 3: out your phone and scrolling? Are you immediately turning on 76 00:03:57,700 --> 00:03:59,660 Speaker 3: the TV? When you have a question, do you go 77 00:03:59,700 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 3: to God in prayer? Do you take the time to listen? 78 00:04:02,060 --> 00:04:04,490 Speaker 3: Or are you just immediately going to your friends and 79 00:04:04,570 --> 00:04:07,290 Speaker 3: asking their advice? Are you reading online articles? And yes, 80 00:04:07,310 --> 00:04:09,330 Speaker 3: those things are good. We should talk to our friends 81 00:04:09,390 --> 00:04:12,450 Speaker 3: and family and we should read online articles and we 82 00:04:12,550 --> 00:04:14,930 Speaker 3: should read books and listen to podcasts and we should 83 00:04:14,970 --> 00:04:17,290 Speaker 3: have some downtime to just relax and scroll on social media. 84 00:04:17,310 --> 00:04:20,180 Speaker 3: There's nothing wrong with that. But if we are constantly 85 00:04:20,220 --> 00:04:22,900 Speaker 3: filling our minds with these things and not leaving time 86 00:04:23,440 --> 00:04:27,599 Speaker 3: for just quiet, we're missing out on listening when God 87 00:04:27,620 --> 00:04:29,920 Speaker 3: wants to speak to us and we just don't hear 88 00:04:29,980 --> 00:04:32,539 Speaker 3: it because we're not listening. So I think those are 89 00:04:32,580 --> 00:04:34,870 Speaker 3: the two things that I would say. 90 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:39,909 Speaker 1: Yeah. So if we practice these ways of looking to 91 00:04:39,930 --> 00:04:44,870 Speaker 1: God's word to determine his voice, to understand his voice 92 00:04:44,910 --> 00:04:48,150 Speaker 1: and know his voice and to make time to actually 93 00:04:48,230 --> 00:04:50,390 Speaker 1: hear his voice when he speaks. And we get to 94 00:04:50,420 --> 00:04:52,660 Speaker 1: a point and we feel like, I think I may 95 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 1: have heard God on this matter as far as his will. 96 00:04:55,620 --> 00:04:58,460 Speaker 1: What are some questions that we can ask ourselves to 97 00:04:58,500 --> 00:05:00,460 Speaker 1: determine if we've really heard from God? 98 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:04,419 Speaker 3: This is a great question because so often for me 99 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:06,020 Speaker 3: and for a lot of people that I've talked to, 100 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:09,250 Speaker 3: when you hear God speaking with you, it often sounds 101 00:05:09,270 --> 00:05:10,969 Speaker 3: just like a voice in your own head. And you're like, 102 00:05:10,990 --> 00:05:11,670 Speaker 3: what's my God? 103 00:05:11,710 --> 00:05:12,310 Speaker 1: Like, not God. 104 00:05:12,330 --> 00:05:14,670 Speaker 3: Like, I don't know. Like, was that from him? So 105 00:05:14,710 --> 00:05:17,330 Speaker 3: it's so important to be able to test our thoughts, 106 00:05:17,370 --> 00:05:19,470 Speaker 3: to capture each of them and to look at it 107 00:05:19,550 --> 00:05:22,140 Speaker 3: and say, okay, where is this thought coming from? Because 108 00:05:22,260 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 3: we don't always realize our thoughts come from three places. 109 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:27,400 Speaker 3: So God can speak into our minds. We have our 110 00:05:27,460 --> 00:05:30,020 Speaker 3: own thoughts in our heads. And then Satan also has 111 00:05:30,060 --> 00:05:32,219 Speaker 3: the ability to speak into our minds. He can't read 112 00:05:32,260 --> 00:05:34,870 Speaker 3: our minds, but he can speak into our lives. And 113 00:05:34,890 --> 00:05:36,690 Speaker 3: so we need to capture each of these thoughts and 114 00:05:36,730 --> 00:05:39,010 Speaker 3: we need to say, okay, where does this thought probably 115 00:05:39,070 --> 00:05:41,790 Speaker 3: come from? If it's something about, should I wear the 116 00:05:41,830 --> 00:05:43,430 Speaker 3: blue shirt today or the red shirt? What should I 117 00:05:43,470 --> 00:05:46,390 Speaker 3: make for dinner? That's probably just yourself. That's fine. Totally normal. 118 00:05:46,980 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 3: If it's something like, hey, you are a terrible person. 119 00:05:49,500 --> 00:05:51,260 Speaker 3: You're never going to get this right. You're never going 120 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 3: to figure this out. Your husband obviously doesn't love you. 121 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:55,840 Speaker 3: How could anyone love you when you look like that? Well, 122 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 3: that's going to be from the enemy because you know, 123 00:05:58,350 --> 00:06:00,350 Speaker 3: God doesn't talk like that. The Bible tells us there 124 00:06:00,410 --> 00:06:02,790 Speaker 3: is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 125 00:06:03,110 --> 00:06:05,669 Speaker 3: So if you're feeling shame, that is the enemy speaking 126 00:06:05,710 --> 00:06:08,460 Speaker 3: into you. And This isn't just something that happens with 127 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:11,060 Speaker 3: people who are like so best and so far off 128 00:06:11,100 --> 00:06:13,339 Speaker 3: and like not Christians. Satan speaks to all of us. 129 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 3: He probably speaks. I mean, this isn't necessarily in the Bible, 130 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 3: just my opinion. But I think he speaks more to 131 00:06:18,440 --> 00:06:21,430 Speaker 3: those of us sometimes who are involved in ministry or 132 00:06:21,490 --> 00:06:24,810 Speaker 3: who are diligently trying to work out God's will for 133 00:06:24,850 --> 00:06:26,750 Speaker 3: our lives, who are trying to do the things. Because 134 00:06:26,790 --> 00:06:28,950 Speaker 3: if you're just sitting and being inactive, like why would 135 00:06:28,970 --> 00:06:30,909 Speaker 3: Satan bother with you? But if you are out there 136 00:06:30,970 --> 00:06:33,479 Speaker 3: every day, like trying to be a Christian, you're trying 137 00:06:33,510 --> 00:06:35,220 Speaker 3: to love your husband, you're trying to love your neighbor. 138 00:06:35,740 --> 00:06:35,860 Speaker 2: And. 139 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 3: He doesn't have to convince you to do these huge, 140 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 3: terrible sins. All he has to do is just distract you. Like, hey, 141 00:06:40,940 --> 00:06:42,300 Speaker 3: why don't you just scroll on social media for a 142 00:06:42,300 --> 00:06:44,219 Speaker 3: while or put some lies in your life to say, 143 00:06:44,260 --> 00:06:47,250 Speaker 3: you know, like you're not really qualified to do that. 144 00:06:47,450 --> 00:06:49,670 Speaker 3: Nobody would listen to you. Who are you to do 145 00:06:49,730 --> 00:06:52,589 Speaker 3: this thing? And so a lot of those doubts and 146 00:06:52,630 --> 00:06:54,669 Speaker 3: those fears, those don't come from God. That's not the 147 00:06:54,710 --> 00:06:56,870 Speaker 3: God that we serve. The God that we serve He 148 00:06:56,950 --> 00:06:59,869 Speaker 3: knows he has every resource at his disposal. He knows 149 00:07:00,010 --> 00:07:03,060 Speaker 3: all throughout time that he has asked somebody who seems 150 00:07:03,250 --> 00:07:05,880 Speaker 3: like nobody, who seemed so disqualified, who seemed like, how 151 00:07:05,980 --> 00:07:09,000 Speaker 3: could I possibly? There's so many stories in the Bible 152 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:13,140 Speaker 3: of King David was an adulterer. And Saul, who turned 153 00:07:13,180 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 3: into Paul, who wrote the majority of the New Testament, 154 00:07:15,900 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 3: he persecuted Christians before he became Paul and did like 155 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:24,030 Speaker 3: one of the greatest missionary evangelists of all time. And 156 00:07:24,310 --> 00:07:26,870 Speaker 3: imagine if Satan had spoken into them and they listened 157 00:07:26,930 --> 00:07:29,230 Speaker 3: and said, you know, who are you? Look at what 158 00:07:29,270 --> 00:07:32,270 Speaker 3: you've done. Look at who you are. Like you're not qualified. 159 00:07:32,630 --> 00:07:35,510 Speaker 3: So sometimes we hear these thoughts and we think, oh, that's, well, 160 00:07:35,550 --> 00:07:37,510 Speaker 3: it's true. It's just me. Like, how could I? And 161 00:07:38,030 --> 00:07:40,650 Speaker 3: it's not you and it's not God. It's Satan trying 162 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:42,700 Speaker 3: to distract you or deceive you to keep you from 163 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:44,660 Speaker 3: what God has called you to do. And if God 164 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:46,940 Speaker 3: has called you to do something, he's going to give 165 00:07:46,980 --> 00:07:49,300 Speaker 3: you everything that you need. So I think it's just 166 00:07:49,340 --> 00:07:51,970 Speaker 3: a matter of looking at these thoughts in our head 167 00:07:52,010 --> 00:07:53,970 Speaker 3: and saying, okay, does this line up with the God 168 00:07:54,010 --> 00:07:55,750 Speaker 3: that I know? Does this line up with the God 169 00:07:55,950 --> 00:07:58,150 Speaker 3: of the Bible? So God is never going to tell 170 00:07:58,210 --> 00:08:00,710 Speaker 3: us something that contradicts what he's already told us in 171 00:08:00,750 --> 00:08:03,110 Speaker 3: his word. So if it's against the Bible, it is 172 00:08:03,150 --> 00:08:05,570 Speaker 3: not true. God is never going to tell us something 173 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 3: that makes absolutely no sense in light of how he's 174 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:11,200 Speaker 3: gifted us and where he's placed us. So if he 175 00:08:11,460 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 3: has you in a position where he says, you know, 176 00:08:13,760 --> 00:08:16,460 Speaker 3: I need you to take care of a child with 177 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:18,470 Speaker 3: special needs. He's not going to call you to do 178 00:08:18,510 --> 00:08:21,190 Speaker 3: something you cannot also do while taking care of a 179 00:08:21,210 --> 00:08:24,010 Speaker 3: child with special needs or wherever it is he's called you. 180 00:08:24,130 --> 00:08:25,530 Speaker 3: He's not going to call you to do things that 181 00:08:25,550 --> 00:08:28,230 Speaker 3: are impossible. It might feel impossible, but we serve a 182 00:08:28,230 --> 00:08:30,510 Speaker 3: really big God. So if he says you can do it, 183 00:08:31,010 --> 00:08:32,550 Speaker 3: you can do it, even if you don't know how. 184 00:08:33,429 --> 00:08:37,860 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's really good because when we do think about 185 00:08:37,900 --> 00:08:41,060 Speaker 1: God's will for our lives, Sometimes maybe we do get 186 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 1: to a point where we prayed about it and we 187 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:46,199 Speaker 1: feel like, okay, I'm very clear about what God wants 188 00:08:46,220 --> 00:08:49,040 Speaker 1: me to do, but we're in a position where we 189 00:08:49,090 --> 00:08:49,900 Speaker 1: don't want to do it. 190 00:08:51,370 --> 00:08:52,490 Speaker 3: I have been there lots of times. 191 00:08:52,510 --> 00:08:55,610 Speaker 1: What things can we pray for to find the strength 192 00:08:55,790 --> 00:08:58,910 Speaker 1: to do God's will, to follow God's will once we 193 00:08:58,990 --> 00:09:02,580 Speaker 1: know what his will is when it's not always easy 194 00:09:02,620 --> 00:09:03,380 Speaker 1: to follow his will? 195 00:09:04,020 --> 00:09:06,780 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think one thing that's just really helpful is 196 00:09:06,820 --> 00:09:10,370 Speaker 3: knowing that being scared is doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. 197 00:09:10,770 --> 00:09:12,490 Speaker 3: It doesn't mean that it's bad. I always try to think, 198 00:09:12,550 --> 00:09:14,570 Speaker 3: I don't know where I heard this quote, but if 199 00:09:14,630 --> 00:09:18,980 Speaker 3: something feels scary to you, it's, I mean, there's exceptions. 200 00:09:19,059 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 3: Obviously jumping off of a bridge feels scary because that's 201 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:23,240 Speaker 3: not a wise idea. But if it's something that God 202 00:09:23,260 --> 00:09:25,219 Speaker 3: has called you to do and it feels scary to you, 203 00:09:26,059 --> 00:09:29,700 Speaker 3: it's because it's growth. You're doing something new. If we 204 00:09:29,780 --> 00:09:32,199 Speaker 3: all just did things that were comfortable, we'd stay so small. 205 00:09:32,220 --> 00:09:34,060 Speaker 2: Instead, it's just. 206 00:09:33,940 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 3: A matter of saying, okay, this is scary. That's okay. 207 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:38,610 Speaker 3: Sometimes it's going to be scary. That doesn't mean something's wrong. 208 00:09:38,990 --> 00:09:42,030 Speaker 3: It just means I'm growing. I'm trying new things I 209 00:09:42,070 --> 00:09:44,850 Speaker 3: haven't done before. Sometimes things are going to be hard. 210 00:09:45,550 --> 00:09:47,300 Speaker 3: So often we think, oh, this is so hard. This 211 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:49,460 Speaker 3: must not be God's will for my life. It's not happening. 212 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:51,780 Speaker 3: And yes, there is some of that also if we 213 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:54,900 Speaker 3: ask God to close doors. But just because something is 214 00:09:55,010 --> 00:09:57,970 Speaker 3: hard doesn't mean that it's not God's will for your life. 215 00:09:58,050 --> 00:10:00,470 Speaker 3: If you look at the Apostle Paul, there's so many 216 00:10:00,510 --> 00:10:04,270 Speaker 3: times he talks about he's shipwrecked, he's beaten within an 217 00:10:04,330 --> 00:10:06,450 Speaker 3: inch of his life. He gets thrown in jail multiple times, 218 00:10:06,690 --> 00:10:08,390 Speaker 3: but he doesn't give up and say, oh, well, sorry, 219 00:10:08,429 --> 00:10:09,970 Speaker 3: this is too hard. Like I got thrown in jail 220 00:10:09,990 --> 00:10:12,790 Speaker 3: too bad. It's like, no, I know what God has 221 00:10:12,820 --> 00:10:14,939 Speaker 3: called me to do. This is important. It is so 222 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:17,560 Speaker 3: important that it doesn't matter what I have to go 223 00:10:17,620 --> 00:10:19,739 Speaker 3: through to get there. I am going to get there, 224 00:10:19,940 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 3: even if it's hard. And I think sometimes it's just saying, 225 00:10:22,540 --> 00:10:24,450 Speaker 3: you know, it's going to be hard. it's going to 226 00:10:24,470 --> 00:10:27,190 Speaker 3: be scary, but that's okay. That's not, it doesn't mean 227 00:10:27,230 --> 00:10:29,369 Speaker 3: something's wrong. There's lots of things we can do to 228 00:10:29,410 --> 00:10:31,309 Speaker 3: make it easier. We can pray and say, God, please 229 00:10:31,350 --> 00:10:34,630 Speaker 3: give me courage. God, please give me the resources that 230 00:10:34,700 --> 00:10:36,580 Speaker 3: I need. God, please give me people around me who 231 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:38,660 Speaker 3: will encourage me and cheer me on. I think that 232 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 3: can be so helpful to intentionally surround yourself with people 233 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:44,860 Speaker 3: because if everyone around you has a faith that is 234 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:47,220 Speaker 3: really small, they go to church on Sunday, but that's 235 00:10:47,260 --> 00:10:50,530 Speaker 3: about it. Like then just I mean, there's studies that 236 00:10:50,570 --> 00:10:52,630 Speaker 3: say the people that you surround yourself with, that's how 237 00:10:52,690 --> 00:10:55,030 Speaker 3: you will be. So if you're surrounded with people who 238 00:10:55,070 --> 00:10:57,189 Speaker 3: are very content to play it small, it's going to 239 00:10:57,250 --> 00:10:58,910 Speaker 3: be so hard for you to break out of that. 240 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 3: But if you surround yourself, whether it's people in real 241 00:11:01,420 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 3: life or it's intentionally choosing the podcast that you're listening 242 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:06,540 Speaker 3: to or the sermons that you're watching online, if you 243 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:08,440 Speaker 3: don't have it in real life, like find it online. 244 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:11,420 Speaker 3: It's not a great substitute, but I mean, find what 245 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 3: you can. Read books that inspire you. Listen to podcasts. 246 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:16,679 Speaker 3: Do all of these things and surround yourself as much 247 00:11:16,730 --> 00:11:19,500 Speaker 3: as you can not only with, but as much as 248 00:11:19,530 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 3: you can with people who are doing big things, who 249 00:11:23,100 --> 00:11:26,510 Speaker 3: inspire you. Because when the people around you It's their 250 00:11:26,590 --> 00:11:28,750 Speaker 3: normal to say, hey, we go out for what God 251 00:11:28,770 --> 00:11:30,809 Speaker 3: has called us to. It just gives you that little 252 00:11:30,850 --> 00:11:32,550 Speaker 3: bit of courage that, hey, I can do that too. 253 00:11:32,850 --> 00:11:35,570 Speaker 3: I see this person doing it. They're a normal person. 254 00:11:35,710 --> 00:11:38,670 Speaker 3: They're like you and me both. I don't know you 255 00:11:38,690 --> 00:11:40,069 Speaker 3: in real life, but I know you well enough to 256 00:11:40,110 --> 00:11:42,170 Speaker 3: assume like you're a normal person. You're not like you 257 00:11:42,740 --> 00:11:46,200 Speaker 3: come from some unicorn, like no girl who was like, hey, 258 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:48,220 Speaker 3: I'm going to do this. And the same thing with me. 259 00:11:48,260 --> 00:11:49,959 Speaker 3: I'm a totally normal. I fight with my husband. I 260 00:11:49,980 --> 00:11:53,440 Speaker 3: yell at my kids. Totally normal person. But somewhere along 261 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:56,510 Speaker 3: the way. I just decided that, you know what? God 262 00:11:56,530 --> 00:11:59,679 Speaker 3: is good. God is so good. And he wants what 263 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:11,030 Speaker 3: is good for us. And he doesn't tell us things 264 00:12:11,070 --> 00:12:13,130 Speaker 3: to be mean. And he doesn't tell us things to 265 00:12:13,150 --> 00:12:16,230 Speaker 3: ruin our fun. He tells us things because he loves us. 266 00:12:16,550 --> 00:12:19,670 Speaker 3: And God is so gracious to tell us, go this 267 00:12:19,790 --> 00:12:22,650 Speaker 3: way because this is good. This is good for you. 268 00:12:22,929 --> 00:12:24,750 Speaker 3: And don't go this way. I know it looks appealing, 269 00:12:24,770 --> 00:12:26,850 Speaker 3: but don't go this way because it's like you will 270 00:12:26,890 --> 00:12:30,610 Speaker 3: regret it. And I can say with 100% confidence that 271 00:12:30,809 --> 00:12:33,130 Speaker 3: every time that I have obeyed God's will in my life, 272 00:12:33,290 --> 00:12:35,450 Speaker 3: even when it was really hard, that when I get 273 00:12:35,470 --> 00:12:38,110 Speaker 3: to the other side, I am so thankful I did. 274 00:12:38,460 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 3: I'm like, okay, that was hard, but I'm so thankful. 275 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 3: It is always worth it every single time. And that's 276 00:12:43,460 --> 00:12:46,070 Speaker 3: what keeps me going forward. Every time something is hard, 277 00:12:46,090 --> 00:12:48,190 Speaker 3: I'm like, okay, but I've done it before. And God 278 00:12:48,250 --> 00:12:50,630 Speaker 3: is with me every single time. He's not going to 279 00:12:50,670 --> 00:12:53,069 Speaker 3: feel me now. He never has. And so I think 280 00:12:53,090 --> 00:12:55,850 Speaker 3: you have to start walking with God to get that experience. 281 00:12:55,890 --> 00:12:58,030 Speaker 3: You can't say, oh, God's come through for me. If 282 00:12:58,050 --> 00:13:00,810 Speaker 3: you've never... followed him if you've never obeyed him. So, 283 00:13:00,870 --> 00:13:03,449 Speaker 3: you know, start small. That's fine. Nobody's asking you to 284 00:13:03,490 --> 00:13:05,589 Speaker 3: do the huge thing. And God's not asking us to 285 00:13:05,650 --> 00:13:07,750 Speaker 3: do this huge thing right away. He asks us to 286 00:13:07,790 --> 00:13:10,099 Speaker 3: do small things and a little bit bigger things and 287 00:13:10,140 --> 00:13:12,459 Speaker 3: then a little bit bigger things. And so sometimes it 288 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:14,300 Speaker 3: might seem like, oh, this small thing, it doesn't matter. 289 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:17,490 Speaker 3: That's like, no, I'm growing you. I'm growing you gently. 290 00:13:17,500 --> 00:13:20,570 Speaker 3: I'm growing you gradually. Do this small thing. Obey me 291 00:13:20,630 --> 00:13:22,900 Speaker 3: in this thing that seems like it doesn't matter. And 292 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:24,610 Speaker 3: then obey me in this thing and he'll lead you. 293 00:13:24,630 --> 00:13:26,689 Speaker 3: He's such a gentleman. He will lead you and guide you. 294 00:13:27,010 --> 00:13:29,070 Speaker 3: And if you don't have that experience, start small, but 295 00:13:29,130 --> 00:13:31,689 Speaker 3: also go back and read the stories in scripture. That's 296 00:13:31,710 --> 00:13:34,930 Speaker 3: what they're there for. There's so many stories that you 297 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:37,179 Speaker 3: can go back and see this person was in a 298 00:13:37,220 --> 00:13:40,060 Speaker 3: situation just like mine. They were so tired or they 299 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:42,560 Speaker 3: were so discouraged or they didn't have the resources they needed. 300 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:45,710 Speaker 3: This is what was going on in their life. And 301 00:13:45,809 --> 00:13:48,809 Speaker 3: God came through for them. And the same God who 302 00:13:48,870 --> 00:13:51,410 Speaker 3: came through for this person and this person who came 303 00:13:51,429 --> 00:13:54,290 Speaker 3: through time and time and time and time and time again, 304 00:13:54,650 --> 00:13:57,220 Speaker 3: all throughout scripture, that is the same God who still 305 00:13:57,250 --> 00:13:58,660 Speaker 3: comes through for us today. 306 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:01,780 Speaker 1: Oh, I love that. And that is so true. That 307 00:14:01,820 --> 00:14:05,500 Speaker 1: is so true to just stay encouraged by other examples 308 00:14:05,580 --> 00:14:08,929 Speaker 1: of God's faithfulness as we seek God's will. So If 309 00:14:08,950 --> 00:14:12,850 Speaker 1: we have a listener that is tuning in right now 310 00:14:12,929 --> 00:14:14,770 Speaker 1: and they're like, okay, these are all great tips. I 311 00:14:14,790 --> 00:14:18,569 Speaker 1: want to follow God's will. What's just a simple first 312 00:14:18,610 --> 00:14:22,070 Speaker 1: step they can take to following God's will? Like when 313 00:14:22,110 --> 00:14:25,430 Speaker 1: they press stop on this podcast, what's the next thing 314 00:14:25,470 --> 00:14:25,930 Speaker 1: they can do? 315 00:14:25,950 --> 00:14:28,130 Speaker 3: I think the very first thing that they do as 316 00:14:28,170 --> 00:14:30,970 Speaker 3: soon as this podcast is over is take 30 seconds 317 00:14:31,030 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 3: in prayer and say, God, I want to follow your 318 00:14:34,270 --> 00:14:37,580 Speaker 3: will for my life. Please show me loudly and clearly 319 00:14:37,620 --> 00:14:41,020 Speaker 3: what that is. And give me the courage to follow you, 320 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 3: even when it's hard. And that's just a little thing. 321 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:46,100 Speaker 3: It's just a prayer. But showing up with that willingness 322 00:14:46,140 --> 00:14:50,250 Speaker 3: to say, God, I'm in, whatever it is. I might 323 00:14:50,290 --> 00:14:51,790 Speaker 3: not be in the first time. I'll just admit I'm 324 00:14:51,810 --> 00:14:53,750 Speaker 3: going to procrastinate. I'm going to second this. It's going 325 00:14:53,770 --> 00:14:56,410 Speaker 3: to be really hard, but I'm in. Like, if you 326 00:14:56,450 --> 00:14:58,990 Speaker 3: will be patient with me, we can do this. And 327 00:14:59,010 --> 00:15:02,090 Speaker 3: I think just that willingness to say, okay, God, okay. 328 00:15:02,870 --> 00:15:05,530 Speaker 3: He's such a gentleman and he will start to reveal 329 00:15:05,590 --> 00:15:07,650 Speaker 3: it to you. And then you just have to pay 330 00:15:07,690 --> 00:15:10,130 Speaker 3: attention and notice, okay, what's in my life? What do 331 00:15:10,170 --> 00:15:12,070 Speaker 3: I see? What do I hear? What are those just 332 00:15:12,090 --> 00:15:15,260 Speaker 3: like really quiet, gentle nudges? Should I go talk to that? 333 00:15:15,700 --> 00:15:17,700 Speaker 3: I should probably go talk to that person. Should I 334 00:15:17,780 --> 00:15:20,680 Speaker 3: give to that? I should probably just give to that thing. 335 00:15:21,620 --> 00:15:23,660 Speaker 1: That is so, I love that prayer. That is such 336 00:15:23,870 --> 00:15:27,090 Speaker 1: a beautiful prayer for you to share with us. Brittany, 337 00:15:27,230 --> 00:15:30,010 Speaker 1: you know, I could talk to you all day. We could, 338 00:15:30,110 --> 00:15:33,130 Speaker 1: we really could. We really could. But this has been 339 00:15:33,530 --> 00:15:37,450 Speaker 1: so insightful and uplifting and encouraging, especially when it comes 340 00:15:37,510 --> 00:15:40,630 Speaker 1: to following God's will. Can you share with our listeners 341 00:15:40,750 --> 00:15:43,510 Speaker 1: how they can connect with you online and learn more 342 00:15:43,610 --> 00:15:44,350 Speaker 1: about your new book? 343 00:15:45,050 --> 00:15:49,830 Speaker 3: Absolutely. Thank you for asking. So my website is equippinggodlywomen.com. 344 00:15:50,330 --> 00:15:52,310 Speaker 3: That's kind of my main hub online where you can 345 00:15:52,390 --> 00:15:56,010 Speaker 3: find all of the things. And if you go to equippinggodlywomen.com, 346 00:15:56,220 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 3: you can download and read the first chapter of my book, 347 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 3: Follow God's Will for Free. 348 00:16:01,660 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 1: Perfect. Perfect. All right, guys, you know how to connect 349 00:16:04,620 --> 00:16:07,650 Speaker 1: with Brittany. Brittany, thank you so much for joining us 350 00:16:07,750 --> 00:16:11,810 Speaker 1: again and sharing just from your rich, deep well of 351 00:16:11,950 --> 00:16:15,560 Speaker 1: wisdom and knowledge when it comes to connecting with God. 352 00:16:15,940 --> 00:16:19,460 Speaker 1: Did you know God made us all beautifully different even 353 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:23,620 Speaker 1: in the way we pray? That's right. Your prayer personality 354 00:16:23,820 --> 00:16:26,910 Speaker 1: is the unique way you are most likely to communicate 355 00:16:26,950 --> 00:16:30,230 Speaker 1: with God. And knowing which of the three prayer personality 356 00:16:30,290 --> 00:16:33,150 Speaker 1: types you have can equip you to hear from God 357 00:16:33,210 --> 00:16:37,900 Speaker 1: more clearly and overcome any obstacles to your communication with God. 358 00:16:38,180 --> 00:16:41,540 Speaker 1: I invite you to take my prayer personality quiz. to 359 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:44,280 Speaker 1: learn how you best hear from God, how you most 360 00:16:44,380 --> 00:16:46,990 Speaker 1: likely connect with Him in prayer, and to just have 361 00:16:47,020 --> 00:16:50,550 Speaker 1: a little fun. Take the quiz now at PrayQuiz.com or 362 00:16:50,630 --> 00:16:53,590 Speaker 1: find the link in the show notes for today's episode. 363 00:16:54,010 --> 00:16:56,670 Speaker 1: It is my hope that today's show has provided you 364 00:16:56,810 --> 00:17:00,630 Speaker 1: with insightful and helpful tips on how you can pray. 365 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 1: We have so much more to talk about when it 366 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:05,760 Speaker 1: comes to prayer. So I hope that if you were 367 00:17:05,900 --> 00:17:09,280 Speaker 1: encouraged by today's episode, you will share it with a 368 00:17:09,340 --> 00:17:13,330 Speaker 1: friend and subscribe. So you don't miss any future episodes 369 00:17:13,450 --> 00:17:15,690 Speaker 1: of the Teach Us to Pray podcast, where we will 370 00:17:15,730 --> 00:17:18,930 Speaker 1: continue to learn how just like breathing, prayer can become 371 00:17:19,070 --> 00:17:23,220 Speaker 1: a natural, consistent and life-giving part of our everyday lives. 372 00:17:23,740 --> 00:17:26,940 Speaker 1: Until then, be sure to connect with me at BelovedWomen.org 373 00:17:27,340 --> 00:17:30,460 Speaker 1: or join me on the Beloved Women app for unlimited 374 00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 1: videos to. 375 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:31,820 Speaker 3: Grow your faith. 376 00:17:32,220 --> 00:17:35,679 Speaker 1: Learn God's word and encourage your soul. Now available in 377 00:17:35,700 --> 00:17:39,780 Speaker 1: the Apple and Google Play stores or at BelovedWomen.tv. Thank 378 00:17:39,820 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 1: you so much for taking time to listen today. God 379 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,980 Speaker 1: bless you. And I'll talk to you in our next episode. 380 00:17:48,380 --> 00:17:51,050 Speaker 3: Teach Us to Pray is a production of Life Audio 381 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:52,120 Speaker 3: and Salem Media. 382 00:17:52,700 --> 00:17:54,869 Speaker 1: If you liked what you heard today, please take a 383 00:17:54,930 --> 00:17:57,990 Speaker 1: second to rate and review this podcast in your favorite 384 00:17:58,010 --> 00:18:01,210 Speaker 1: podcast app so that more listeners like you can find 385 00:18:01,250 --> 00:18:01,530 Speaker 1: the show. 386 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:06,859 Speaker 3: For more faith-filled, inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio.com.