Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God

Publisher Marketing: How do we hear God's voice? Bestselling author Dallas Willard says that the key is to focus not so much on individual actions and decisions as on building our personal relationship with our Creator. Gain rich spiritual insight and learn to hear God's voice clearly with this beloved classic.

Foreword by James Bryan Smith A Word from the Author Preface

1. A Paradox About Hearing God Why do people say they hear God but so few can explain it?
2. Guidelines for Hearing from God What are some common misunderstandings? Hearing God in Scripture: 1 Kings 19:2-18
3. Never Alone How is God with us?
4. Our Communicating Cosmos Does God really talk to people? Hearing God in Scripture: 2 Kings 6:11-17
5. The Still, Small Voice and Its Rivals How has God spoken to people before? Hearing God in Scripture: Proverbs 20:27; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13, 15-16
6. The Word of God and the Rule of God What part does God's Word have in everyday reality? Hearing God in Scripture: Psalm 19:1-6; 119:89-91
7. Redemption Through the Word of God How does hearing God lead to character transformation? Hearing God in Scripture: Romans 5:10-11; 6:4, 8-11
8. Recognizing the Voice of God How do we know we are hearing God and not our own voices? Hearing God in Scripture: 1 Chronicles 14:8-17
9. A Life More Than Guidance How do we learn to listen to God?

Epilogue: The Way of the Burning Heart Appendix: Key Questions and Answers Notes Scripture Index

Review Quotes: "I have loved this book since it was first published under its original title, In Search of Guidance (my old, marked-up copy is still a cherished possession), and then I fell in love with it again when it was brought out under its current title. There is no one more sane, more well-reasoned, more deeply spiritual and biblically grounded than Dallas Willard in his careful, nuanced treatment of how we can develop an intimate, conversational relationship with God-one that actually includes hearing from God for ourselves. Hearing God is truly a classic that stands tall in the crowded field of discernment literature!"

Review Quotes: "This is simply the best book I've ever found on hearing God's voice. It does it all-with nuance, grace, intelligence, and spirit. Few things matter more to an apprentice of Jesus than learning to discern God's voice. Few books come close to being as helpful as this one."

Review Quotes: "What Dallas Willard promises in this book is astounding. He believes that it is possible for normal human beings to live their lives in a continuous and transforming friendship with the Trinity. And as you read, you realize why he believes this. He is writing from lived experience. He is describing his personal, ongoing conversation, communion and consummation (or union) with God. But he lets you know, there is a catch. If you want to hear 'the flutes' it helps to be sitting in the front row, very close to the conductor."

Review Quotes: "Hearing God is still the gold standard in learning to recognize God's voice in our everyday lives. It offers wise, thoughtful and grounded guidelines for discernment, while acknowledging that God still speaks to each of us today. Over the decades, I have not recommended another book on hearing God more."

Review Quotes: "The best book on divine guidance I have ever read. I recommend it highly."

Review Quotes: "Willard wonderfully encourages us to listen for God's voice, and then to respond and obey. This is a book of great encouragement and helpful insights into the arena of God's direction in our daily living."