Does God Talk Back in Prayer?

Two young ladies praying while standing in a school.

One of the most incredible truths to grasp is that the God who created heaven and earth desires a personal relationship with me—and with you too. We know that a major part of any relationship is communication.

I believe everyone would agree—communication is how we understand one another, and it’s essential for a relationship to thrive. Both parties must engage for the relationship to remain strong. This is how the relationship is formed and sustained.

Being that this is a PRESS Movement platform, I’m sure you’ve heard or read by now that prayer is a part of how we communicate with God. But oftentimes, in my own experience, I’ve found myself feeling like I’m the one doing most of the talking.

Expecting to Hear God's Voice

In seeking to understand how God communicates with me, I looked for—and expected—to hear a voice. That’s our typical idea of communication. Even in the Bible, God often speaks audibly. So it’s understandable we might expect the same.

But in my experience, I’ve never heard the audible voice of God. I have, however, known it was Him speaking—through people, a song, a sermon, or deep revelation that could only come by His Spirit and that aligned with His Word.

A powerful example is Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed in agony and asked for the burden to be removed. God didn’t speak audibly—but He responded. God was silent, but still present. The Bible says an angel appeared and strengthened Him (Luke 22:43).

God’s Responses Don’t Always Fit Our Expectations

We often expect God to respond like a conversation—back and forth. But that’s not always how it works. Sometimes God responds right away, and sometimes not. But in faith, we believe He hears and He will respond in His perfect way.

People experience God’s responses in different ways: through dreams, others’ prayers, scripture, or fresh revelation while reading His Word. However it happens, it will align with His character and Word.

The goal of hearing from God is not just to say we’ve heard Him, but to understand what He’s saying and respond in obedience. Whether it’s peace in hardship or clarity in decision-making, God’s voice leads us closer to His will.

Trust God’s Timing and How He Responds In Prayer

The reality is—He’s God and we are not. We don’t get to choose how He answers, but we can trust that He will. As we pray, we must remain open to however He chooses to speak, and grow in recognizing His leading.

It may take time to learn how God communicates with you—and that’s okay. Don’t try to force or assume His voice. Instead, trust and wait on Him with faith.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

Want to hear more about God and his responses to prayers? Check out the PRESS Prayer Movement podcast.