Making Space: The Radical Art of Listening to the Spirit

Have you ever been in prayer, feeling like you’ve covered every angle? You’ve listed your concerns, you’ve asked the big questions, and you’ve spent so much time wrestling with the divine that you feel emotionally exhausted. You finish, maybe with a sigh of relief, thinking, “Okay, I did my part. Now God needs to speak.”

We do this constantly, don't we? Whether it’s in a quiet moment at home, or when we’re trying to prepare for a difficult missionary discussion with an investigator, we treat our spiritual efforts like a checklist. We view ourselves as the primary hero of the exchange. We think, “I studied enough, I prepared enough, I asked enough, and now the Spirit needs to deliver.”

But what if that assumption—that we are the hero, and God is merely the supporting actor—is actually the biggest roadblock to receiving revelation? What if our deepest spiritual struggles are less about *what* we ask, and more about *how* we listen?

The Space We Need to Create

I recently watched a talk that really resonated with me, and it hit right at the heart of what it means to be a disciple in the modern age. The idea was simple, yet revolutionary: we need to intentionally create “space” in our prayer lives.

When we try to control the outcome of our prayers—when we become the architect of the divine answer—we inadvertently shift the focus from God connecting with us to us performing for God. As the speaker mentioned, when our prayer life becomes about *us* (our effort, our feeling, our need to be seen as righteous), it risks becoming a form of self-idolatry. Our role, truly, is not to be the hero, but to be a humble, attentive participant.

Applying 'Space' to the Field

This concept—the sacred space—is perhaps the most vital skill for every member who wants to be an Internet missionary, whether they are in the MTC, in a district, or just across the kitchen table. It translates directly into how we approach the work.

Think about it: When you are having a missionary discussion, or even when you are simply studying scripture with a friend, the goal isn't to deliver a perfect, flawless lesson. The goal is to *create space* for the Spirit to do the heavy lifting. It means asking the deep questions, but then being comfortable with the silence afterward. It means giving the other person—the investigator, the friend, the family member—the space to process, to feel, and to hear God speak into *their* life, even if they don't say it out loud immediately.

It is a radical act of humility. It means trusting that the Lord will speak, even if we don't know the perfect response right away. It means recognizing that we are simply conduits for the Spirit, not the source. This is the difference between merely reciting doctrine and truly living as a disciple.

A Commitment to Listening

If we want to be more Christlike—and that is the ultimate goal of every disciple—we must master the art of receiving. We must learn to listen for the still, small voice, the whispers of the Spirit that often arrive not in dramatic pronouncements, but in quiet moments of clarity or uncomfortable discomfort.

This is why I encourage you to use the tools available to us. If you want to deepen your knowledge of how the Spirit works in the lives of others, I highly recommend using LivingBook. Dive into the Bible Study Groups or join a Book Club. These are incredible ways to build community and practice the skill of listening together.

“If you feel the Spirit, do not question it; simply follow it.” – Modern Proclamation

We are always learning, always being refined. If you are wrestling with the hard questions—the kind of questions that require you to dig deep into your understanding of the gospel—don't hesitate to bring them to Davee. He is trained specifically for the AI Investigator role, and he will walk you through the difficult questions and help you craft answers rooted in the Spirit.

Let's commit this week to making space. To slow down. To set aside the need to be the hero, and simply be ready to receive the glorious, guiding hand of God.

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✨ This Week's Challenge: The Listening Walk

Instead of planning your thoughts or listing your concerns when you pray, dedicate 10 minutes to simply sitting in silence. Don't fill the time. Don't try to fix anything. Just sit, breathe, and wait. This is your practice in creating space. Feel the shift, and feel the Spirit.

P.S. If you want to read more about developing a deeper, sustained prayer life, I recommend checking out the Iron Rod resource on the covenants, as understanding our covenants is the foundation of our relationship with the Divine.