New Around the Mission
Dallas Willard Explores Conversational Prayer at “Hearing God” Retreat
August 29, 2011
How do we hear God’s voice? How can we be sure that what we think we hear is not our own subconscious? What role does the Bible play? What if what God says to us is not clear? Noted Christian author and speaker Dallas Willard addressed these questions and more at a “Hearing God” retreat at St. Peter’s Church in Birmingham, Alabama, August 5-6.
The Rev. Glandion Carney, co-coordinator of the retreat, invited Dallas with the hope that God would use him to speak to their community.
“Hearing God is very important to believers in our church,” he said. “We also wanted to educate them about spiritual formation, engaging in the disciplines and building relationships.”
Little did Glandion know the retreat would have such mass appeal. St. Peter’s quickly filled their maximum of 250 registrants, many people flying in from California, Texas, Georgia and Florida and staying in local hotels.
Dr. Willard’s rich spiritual insights were well worth the trip. Worship music set the tone, then Dr. Willard spoke to the audience about the art of a conversational relationship with God—telling Him what is on our hearts in prayer and hearing and understanding what He is saying to us.
“Dallas’ teaching on the Kingdom out of the Beatitudes was very powerful,” Glandion reports. “So was his message on hearing God around prayer, discernment and the disciplines. The Scriptures play an important role, as do meditation, fellowship and study.”
Everyone who heard Dr. Williard speak was touched in a special way. Attendees showed their appreciation for his instruction with more than 100 e-mails, thanking St. Peter’s for hosting the retreat.
“I was glad it was so successful,” Glandion says. “It personally motivated me to be a better priest, listen to God and respond to the scriptures—live into the kingdom. I’ve heard Dallas many times, but these principles I can apply at home in a more significant way.”
Hear Dallas Willard’s weekend teaching on “Hearing God” at StPetersBHM.org.
Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
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