We’re here to encourage you in your own mission of loving and serving the Lord, wherever that leads you.
Dr. Stanley’s calling was simple—to get the gospel out to as many people and places as God would take it. Today his calling remains our calling. But finding the shape of that isn’t always easy when it comes to your personal life.
So this month, we’ll help you find and follow God’s plan for your life, through advice from Dr. Stanley on asking and receiving God’s direction.
When my children were growing up, they’d often come to me with questions. I would say, “You need to ask God about that.” And they would answer, “Oh, Dad! We don’t know Him like you do. Can’t you just tell us?”
Most of us would rather not wait or struggle to understand the Lord’s will. But that’s how we grow in our relationship with Him. God is willing to direct us, and we have the Holy Spirit to help us.
So, how do we go about discovering God’s guidance?
First, clear the pathway.
We must remove sin, which fogs our thinking and divides our mind. We must also relinquish preconceived notions about what to do. Though we have many desires, God must bring us to a place of submissive listening so we can discern His path. Submissive listening means we can say, “Lord, You know best.”
Second, exercise patience.
Refuse to rush ahead of God. “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD” (Ps. 27:14). The stronger the desire, the more difficult it is to wait for God’s clear direction. But patience always brings rewards.
Third, be alert to pressure.
Clear guidance does not come by listening to everybody’s opinion. Sift advice in prayer and the Word. If you don’t have a sense of God’s guidance, don’t step forward because of external pressure. Should, ought, and must can get you in a lot of trouble.
Fourth, persist in prayer.
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). When you’re praying about something, don’t let go of it. God will bring to the surface consequences or motives you weren’t aware of. These godly insights can steer you away from painful mistakes.
And remember, God’s goal isn’t to give you everything you want, but to make you more Christlike. Sometimes He lets us pray until He’s refined us and we say, “Okay, Lord, I want what You want.”
Fifth, let Scripture reshape you.
When you search it prayerfully, God’s Word filters your thinking. The Spirit will set off an alarm in your conscience that something you are doing or thinking is not what God wants. He says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you” (Ps. 32:8).
Sixth, wait for peace.
Is there harmony between what God is thinking and what I am thinking? God wants us to have a tranquil mind and sense of contentment. If the next step still seems uncertain, or you have misgivings, wait.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6).
As you follow these guidelines, you’ll start to experience clarity and wisdom for moving forward in life. There will be greater harmony between your desires and God’s will. You’ll begin to recognize His voice and feel the joy of walking in the Spirit.
We fondly recall how Dr. Stanley would submit ministry plans to God in prayer, and urge us to do the same. He knew how it felt to wait, to become attuned to God’s leading as he stepped forward in faith. He taught us well, so we’ll be here for you.
As you seek God’s plan for your life, we’re in this together. Till next time, God bless you.
For His glory,
Your friends at In Touch Ministries
P.S. Our prayer list for 2025 is full of plans, projects, and people that are important to us—and this includes you! Find out what’s on our heart for the year ahead and join us in asking the Lord to lead us in making disciples everywhere. We are so thankful for you, today and always.