The Stillness Between the Words: Releasing Our Expectations of Divine Communication

How familiar is this:

“I’m going to give you this 20 minutes every day and this is your time to talk.”

How often do we, in our earnest desire to commune with the Lord, construct elaborate protocols for His interaction? We prescribe the time, the method, even the content of the conversation. We treat prayer less as a receptive posture of adoration and more as a transactional negotiation.

Fr. Josh Johnson, in the video below, cuts through this common snare with refreshing clarity. He highlights the danger of attempting to “control God and we try to manipulate the voice of God.” It’s a sobering reminder that the Spirit’s whisper is often drowned out by the clamor of our own agendas. To truly hear Him, we must be willing to release our preconceived notions – our mental maps of what divine communication *should* look like.

This isn’t a condemnation of structured prayer. Consistent, deliberate time devoted to seeking the Lord is a blessing. But it becomes a form of bondage when it replaces genuine supplication with a performance—a checklist to be completed rather than a heartfelt outpouring of the soul.

Think of the parable of the unjust scribe and the Pharisee (Matthew 19:23-26). They meticulously observed the outward forms of righteousness, yet lacked the inward humility and surrender that truly pleases the Lord. Their piety was a facade, a carefully constructed image rather than a reflection of a transformed heart.

The call to let go, as Fr. Johnson suggests, isn’t about abandoning discipline; it’s about embracing vulnerability. It's about recognizing that the Lord's timing and methods are often beyond our comprehension, and that true grace is received, not earned. It's about finding joy not in *getting* from God, but in *being* in His presence. D&C 121:28 teaches, “If a man be inspired of the Holy Ghost to do any thing, and knoweth that those grounds are good, then he ought to do it, but he ought not to boast.” The emphasis is on the humble reception of inspiration, not the proclamation of our own cleverness in discerning it.

Consider the experience of Nephi in 1 Nephi 11:17, where he “did go forth into the wilderness, and cried unto the Lord.” He didn't dictate the terms of his encounter; he simply yielded himself to the Lord’s will, and the heavens opened to him.

The Restoration, the temple covenants, the priesthood – all point to a profound intimacy with God, an intimacy that demands humility and a willingness to release control. The iron rod of knowledge (1 Nephi 11:21-23) guides us, but it is only effective when we relinquish our own grip and allow it to lead.

The yearning to feel the grace of God, to experience His presence, is a testament to the divine spark within us. But we must be careful not to create conditions that prevent that very experience. Let us strive to cultivate a stillness within, a space where we can simply gaze upon the Lord and delight in His presence, regardless of how or when He chooses to reveal Himself.

Let this Advent season be a time to examine our hearts and release the rigid expectations that hinder our communion with the Lord. Let us seek not to define God, but to be defined by Him.

What preconceived notions about prayer and revelation have you wrestled with? Share your experiences—and the lessons learned—in the comments below.