What do I need to do to be ready to hear God?

God gives gift to the ready and receptive person. We must prepare ourselves so that God’s Grace can stir us dynamically. Fr. Dubay, in his book Authenticity, has 10 suggestions to us to be ready.

1. The Humble Hear – In order to hear God we have to know it is an extraordinary event that happens because God wants to interact with us. We need to remember we need Him.
2. The Simple See – We need to know deep into ourselves that with God all things are possible. Most of the time we want to think some things are possible.
3. God gifts the humble with New Light – When we are simple we are able to rejoice in the joy of the Holy Spirit.
4. Conformism of Pride – We cannot be concerned with how others see us. We must know that God sees us with life-giving love. We must want to love God more than being concerned about appearing foolish.
5. The Humble Listen – A humble person listens well because he knows he has something to learn. A humble person must not be concerned with being corrected; a humble person will not think they are automatically correct.
6. A Sign of Authenticity – This is a willingness to be sent by God. It is being obedient to God.
7. Listening & Correcting – We need to be people who are listening to God in prayer, but even more importantly in His written word, Scripture. When we really love God, we are willing to be corrected by those closest to Him.
8. Authenticity & Admonition – The authentic person desires instruction from those close to God, for he knows this will bring him closer to God.
9. Correction is NOT Optional – Correction can keep us from sin. Correction helps us to know the Mind of God. As a community of people united in love we should want to help each other and receive help.
10. Wisdom welcomes Correction – Remember that discernment for the saint is simple, while discernment for the sinner is complex. Being corrected can NOT be overstated. We need to adopt docility. We must always be willing to learn; we must always have a willingness to be taught.