Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God [Paperback]

Dallas Willard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

"God spoke to me." "The Spirit spoke to my heart." "God revealed the idea to me." Being close to God means communicating with him--telling him what is on our hearts in prayer and hearing and understanding what he is saying to us. It is this second half of our conversation with God that is so important but that can also be so difficult. How do we hear his voice? How can we be sure that what we think we hear is not our own subconscious? What role does the Bible play? What if what God says to us is not clear? The key, says best-selling author Dallas Willard, is to focus not so much on individual actions and decisions as on building our personal relationship with our Creator. In this updated classic, originally published as In Search of Guidance, the author provides rich spiritual insight into how we can hear God's voice clearly and develop an intimate partnership with him in the work of his kingdom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Few books have challenged me like this one. I urge every serious-minded Christian to read it . . . at your own risk." -- —Bill Hybels, author of Too Busy Not to Pray

"The best book on divine guidance I have ever read. I recommend it highly." -- —Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline

"Willard wonderfully encourages us to listen for God's voice, and then to respond and obey." -- —Ted W. Engstrom, president emeritus, World Vision

From the Back Cover

From a close associate of Richard Foster, here is a profound understanding of how to hear God in today's busy world. The Christian claim that it is possible to have a personal relationship with the creator of the universe is increasingly under threat in the modern world. With the sound of society and the speed of living increasing year by year, is it really possible to hear from God and be in communication with him? Dallas Willard says an emphatic "yes". In this ground breaking book, he reveals how "hearing God" is actually possible. He explains how to listen for God's voice in unexpected places, how to experience the "still small voice", and how to become a mature person of discernment. Richard Foster says this is "the best book on divine guidance I have read" Bill Hybels says "few books have challenged me like this one" This book will profoundly affect every reader --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books; Later edition dated 1999 edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830822267
• ISBN-13: 978-0830822263
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dallas Willard is a Professor in the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

194 of 199 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, non-trivial account of guidance., February 2, 2000

By 

Craig Atencio - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God (Paperback)

I first read In Search of Guidance because of the great experience I had with Willard's other book, The Spirit of the Disciplines. In Guidance we are presented with non-trivial explanations on how to align our lives in such a way as to be open to the direction of God. I was particularly impressed with the depth of the book. Before even stating how we are to hear God, Willard discusses the role our beliefs have in the matter. This seems so obvious, but it is so often overlooked. It is obvious because if we do not believe that God speaks through events and other happenings we will always be waiting for the quintissential lighting bolt of inspiration. Willard also discusses the role our very lives have in communion with God. He states that if we are not living lives in alignment with God's will it will be pretty hard to hear God, since in essence we are ignoring Him in our very being. Thus Willard elaborates on two themes that I have not found in other books. Only after this discussion does Willard launch into how we come to recognize God's voice - not normally in a thunderous clang but in the small whisper leading us to right action. This was especially important to me because I have had much contact with Christians who seem paralyzed if they get no momentous sign from God after a few prayers. But Willard tells us that sometimes - believe it or not - a person may not hear that big bang and make a decision and still be following the will of God since whatever choice they make will be in accordance with God's will, granted that they are living a life in close communion and alignment with God. I commend Willard for this penetrating book. At least for an engineering mind like mine it made great sense and certainly explained the totality of my interaction with God in asking for guidance.

116 of 118 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those who want to know God's will., June 25, 2000

By 

H. David Peirce "Zossima" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God (Paperback)

This is easily the best book on finding God's will I have ever read. It succeeds because Willard recognizes there are no formulas. The way to find God's will is to find God and learn how to converse with him. Willard argues that in seeking God's will, we generally are asking the wrong questions: "What job should I take?" "Whom should I marry?" Those questions are legitimate but should be secondary to desires to have a deep relationship with God. It is in that relationship with God that the questions of our lives get answered. Willard then explores what the Bible teaches regarding ways in which God communicates with us. Excellent.

78 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make this the companion to Willard's other xlnt books, November 18, 1999

By 

Scott Vandeventer (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God (Paperback)

Dallas Willard's consistency over many years of writing becomes incredibly clear as you read this re-release. Contrasting this earliest book to The Divine Conspiracy (1998) and The Spirit of the Disciplines (1988), one sees how well Dr Willard's work holds together. Each book emphasizes a theme and each stands strongly on its own (you'll note he is not your "book a year" kind of author--lot's of quality here). I am on my 3rd read of this in about a year and continue to chew it thoroughly. Hats off to IVP for re-releasing it (though I like the original title better). I commend it to readers tired and frustrated with much of what is taught about prayer and where they are and God is in all of it. Dr Willard has been given a great gift and he shares it freely here.