I don't want anyone to embarass themselves, or open themselves up to any form of ridicule or criticism concerning how they pray.  That's the reason for the poll.

You don't have to reply to the thread if you are uncomfortable .

The question is:  Do you, as a believer in Jesus Christ, perceive the Holy Spirit communicating with you, guiding you, answering your prayers, within your spirit?

Do you perceive the Holy Spirit supernaturally communicating with you inside your spirit (in other words not audibly with your ears)?

Going by the other threads you started, it appears you're on a real charismatic or mysticism phase of late.

I would caution that, while this may be common in some Evangelical and Fundamental movements, there is great danger in seeking to "feel" God too much as a requisite for faith or salvation.

Needing to be "moved" in prayer, being inordinately aware of evil presences, "hearing God/the Holy Spirit", having had a definite "conversion" moment or moment of salvation can be symptomatic of the need for self-affirmation and can lead to being very disappointed, or even abandoning God, when the inevitable moments of hardships of Faith come.

Completely disagree.  You didn't need to qualify your post with the phrase "of late." I am, and always am, of the charismatic or mystic experience as you put it.  I believe it is essential to a proper walk with Christ.  Anything else is "just a religion" and not a true walk with God.

(No disrespect to you or anyone who disagrees:  I want to hear what you believe).

There is no "need for self-affirmation".  Being born again is an absolute requirement for entry into Heaven.  Not everyone has an experience of the dunamis of an instantaneous conversion.  I get that.  I have.  I was so overwhelmed with the Loving Presence of God through His Most Precious Holy Spirit at the instant of my conversion that I wept with joy uncontrollably for several minutes.

Note, that I am your typical alpha male and I would NEVER admit to that except that it's true and to give God  His much-deserved glory.

Now, I will say this:  I 100% agree with the Catholics that the Eucharist is more than just a wafer and a glass of grape juice taken in obedience.  I actually believe it contains genuine supernatural power, either to healing the individual, or imparting something the Spirit wants the person to have, etc.  Some so-called Protestant commentators like Perry Stone are actually starting to open this door as well.

The real danger is that people perceive something as coming from the Holy Spirit when it does not.  This recent trend of "laughing revival" or "holy laughter" in some charismatic churches amounts to this in my opinion.  

Several years ago, a sister in a charismatic church continued speaking in tongues even to the point that the pastor had to tell her to stifle herself.  Being careful in my wording here:  I think it's at least "possible" that the person's so-called speaking in tongues was actually an attempt by the Evil One to disrupt the services.

One must always be vigilant, to be sure.

With regard to listening to the Spirit, unlike the Gifts of the Spirit, listening is a learned skill that anyone can acquire with practice and a sincere desire not only to hear the Holy Spirit, but MOST importantly, to obey Him.  He will not keep speaking to  you if you ignore Him.

Interestingly, that last sentence was something I hadn't plan to type, but I found myself putting the words on the screen.  Could the Holy Spirit have inspired me to write that just now?  You decide.

I remain committed to a charismatic, mystic experience with Christ.  It's as important to me as anything can be to a person.

Fair enough, and I respect your beliefs and opinions, as well as the honesty of your answer. Thanks!

I perceive you as a genuine believer and fellow disciple of Christ, Brother.  "We see through a glass darkly."  No one is going to agree on everything.  But I would LOVE for everyone to have the same mystic walk with Christ that I have (not that I am perfect or even other than a wretched sinner), all glory to Him.

I had this same type of experience and remember it well.
I believe that this happened to me and I believe that it happens to others as well.




I am conflicted on this, though.  I believe that He will keep pursuing you.
I believe that God will keep working on your heart until you DO hear Him.
One of my pastors put it in simple terms for me that, "You can't out sin God's grace."

Not everyone has the same perceived experience; there have been a few times I felt really compelled to pray over something, but I know that my feelings and perceptions are not a guide to what is true or not - nor are they a necessary part of being regenerate - actually christian.

This has been one of the better sermons I have listened to on the topic: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8141123285

I have seen people harmed by others who insist that you have to have some perception or feeling or the other if you are a christian, have to audibly hear God's voice in your head, etc.  People who don't have that experience can be and sometimes are treated as second class ... if not sometimes as "not truly christian," which is nonsense.

It's true, and often I have to pray many times before I get an answer. Sometimes I get an answer many hours or days after I'm done praying. I know it's God because "My sheep will know my voice." I always eventually get some kind of answer.  My girlfriend is just as much a believer as I am, but has never had a supernatural experience. Some people can't receive it because their faith does not reach that level.

I once went to a Pentecostal church that believed you couldn't be baptized in the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues. I haven't been back.

Prayer is one-way, not two way - if God spoke to us in a way where we knew, beyond any doubt, it was God - we would be scared sideways. Look @ the prophet's experiences. God is holy - we are not. I am not trying to clobber you for saying you get answers, I just believe that the answers we do get come in different ways than many say they would. We are greatly effected by the world we live in, and we have quite a lot of ... well, pagan ... ideas about experiencing the supernatural that we have to process out of ourselves.

We pray knowing that God has said to us in his word (the bible) that he hears and responds - that goes even if we don't think we've been answered. We don't usually or always know the answer, but we know the character of God who listens to the prayers.

I disagree slightly:  It is two way, but you must practice the skill of listening. No, God does not always speak. He also does not repeat himself. Many times I've missed what He's said and been disappointed that I didn't catch what He said. But He never repeats Himself.

You must learn to separate His voice from yours.  "My thoughts are not your thoughts." "My sheep will know My voice."

If He tells you to do sonething, you'd best obey. Otherwise He may not speak to you again without much repentance on your part.

At risk of misleading anyone:

I believe God knows our hearts.
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If we have unconfessed sin in our lives I believe that can throw off your prayer relationship with God. He knows how genuine we are approaching him.

1john 1v9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 12v2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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Praying constantly, hiding his words constantly, thinking on heavenly things really shape my relationship with him. Even when I drift away in the music in my life. I can totally feel a change in my walk with him.

(Philippians4:8)
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Colossians 3v 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
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Trying to balance the world and your relationship with him takes constant weeding much like working a garden. You can’t let the weeds take over and THEN decide to weed. It’s much easier to weed them daily.

Being rooted in our relationship daily is key to a healthy relationship with him.
Trying to live for the world and God:
James 1v8 a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Also 2 verses above that one:

James 1v 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Letting the world push you around in your sin life.

Psalms 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

The ungodly like the chaff. Blown all around with the winds. I know when I get out of practice with the LORD I am totally tossed about.

Psalms 119
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Way= sin rut. We have those sins that constantly pull us back. Porn, our language, etc

James 4 v8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.


Keep hiding his words. Replace foul podcasts with preaching, find other Christians (iron sharpens iron)
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I apologize for the long post.

I have never heard Gods voice speak audibly to me during prayer...or anytime else... I have however recieved a feeling of peace during times of trouble, or after much prayer.  I cant say that was God speaking to me.  I can say i feel that my understanding and faith were strengthened.  That is what i see as an answer...or acknowledgement of prayer.  It wasnt a yes or no, or do this...it was more of a I hear you and am with you.

I would not say that I hear God's voice frequently during prayer, however I have a few times throughout my life as a Christian. Not audibly but yet clear as a bell in my mind and soul.  A couple moments have been during moments of conversion and repentance and embracing the gospel.  Once was not even during prayer, when my friend mentioned the name of my now wife a couple months before we met I clearly heard God tell me you are going to marry this woman, it is my will for you. At that time I wanted nothing to do with a serious relationship and even tried to dodge it a little like Jonah but now 14 years later am happily married with 3 kids.

More frequently I sense his presence with a sense of awe during prayer.

I don’t have any experience hearing an actual voice, but there are gentle, subtle suggestions I feel in my heart to do certain things, which usually involve helping others.

Sometimes.  Or even seemling at random when not in prayer.  When it's time or when there's a specific answer to a prayer there is a change in awareness.  It is a subtle thing that would be easy to dismiss, unless you are willing to entertain it and discern it.  For me, it is some times a direction to turn down a partiuclar street RIGHT NOW, even if it's out of my way and a direction I don't travel.  Both times I've had this and listened there was something the Lord needed done down that way, both times to provide aid and comfort to someone in need, one spiritually, another physicially.

Other times as well.  It's not often.  But as I consider scripture, there are sometimes long periods of time in which God is content to let you walk where you are walking, until it is time to do something else.  The trick is to be listening, discerning, and amenable.

Maybe in a subtle way, but you still have rationality for discernment, being careful not to attribute to God your own thoughts and feelings. There’s been many times when answers come when needed and when passages of scripture just come to the mind unexpectedly yet are perfect for the moment, even if I hadn’t read or thought about it in a long time. I think that’s a way the Holy Spirit guides us. Also I think you can be stirred in the Spirit, or experience a strong feeling to act, witness, confront blasphemy or evil, etc.