How I Know It’s God (Not Just My Thoughts)

Can You Really Hear God When You Pray? Here’s What I’ve Learned

I truly believe that every single person can hear God when they pray—if they want to. This ability isn’t reserved for saints, monks, gurus, or super-spiritual people from religious history books. It’s something anyone can learn to recognize and tune into. But it’s not what most people expect.

It’s Not a Booming Voice from the Sky

No burning bushes. No clouds parting. No thunderclaps echoing from the heavens. At least, not for me. It’s not that dramatic.

Hearing God—for me—is more like a gentle whisper. A soft, subtle nudge in the heart. Almost like a quiet thought you didn’t generate yourself… but one that lands with clarity, love, and a peace that feels out of this world.

Stillness Is the Gateway

That famous verse, “Be still and know that I am God,” really hits home for me. Stillness creates the space where we can actually hear. If your mind is full of stress, notifications, TV, TikTok, and to-do lists, it’s a lot harder to hear that quiet whisper. Not impossible, but harder.

Meditation, silence, turning inward—these are great starting points. Especially when you’re just beginning to open that inner line of communication. But even after decades of doing this, I still need to pause and make space sometimes. I’m still human.

Sometimes I Don’t Hear God at All

This video was inspired by someone asking me, “Do you always hear God?” And the short answer is: Nope.

There have been times when I desperately wanted to hear God, when I needed an answer so bad… and I couldn’t get there. My mind was too noisy. Or I hadn’t slept. Or I was just stuck in a spiral of fear or stress. Life happens. We all have those moments.

What It Actually Feels Like

When I do hear God, it doesn’t come from outside my ears. It’s more like I feel something land in my heart—a knowing, or a “packet” of guidance—and then my mind unpacks that message like a letter. It uses my own internal voice to “read” it out loud to myself, which can make it confusing.

So how do I know it’s not just my own imagination?

Sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I’ve gotten it wrong. But the more you practice, the easier it becomes to recognize the difference. And in my experience, the voice of God (or Spirit, or Source, or your Higher Self—whatever term you use) is always consistent in tone and energy.

The Voice of God Is Different from My Inner Critic

My inner critic says: You’re not good enough. You have to try harder. You need to be perfect or you’ll lose love.

The voice I hear from God says: You are already enough. You are loved, fully and completely. There is nothing to prove. I’m with you.

That voice has never judged me. Never belittled me. It’s always been peaceful, wise, calm, and more loving than any human I’ve ever met. That’s why I trust it.

An Example from Childhood

One of the earliest memories I have was when I got in trouble as a kid and stormed off to my room. I threw a tantrum, slammed the door, and flopped on the bed, fuming.

After 10-15 minutes of venting, I suddenly felt this calm, loving energy say gently, “You know… your parents were right. You should go apologize.”

It wasn’t shaming. It wasn’t harsh. It was supportive and kind. And I did it—I opened my door and told my parents I was sorry. They were stunned. That voice has been with me ever since.

Is It God, a Spirit Guide, or My Higher Self?

Honestly? I don’t always know.

Sometimes I hear “God” talk about creation and the universe in the first person. Other times, it refers to God in the third person—so I suspect I might be hearing from a guardian angel or guide in those moments. The energy feels slightly different, just like different friends feel slightly different to be around. But the love is always there.

Your Relationship with God Will Be Unique

No two people will experience God the same way. It’s a deeply personal, living, evolving relationship.

You don’t have to be perfect or believe everything with 100% certainty. You can say, “God, I don’t even know if you’re real, but I’m here.” That honesty is powerful. I’ve done it myself. I’ve even yelled at God before. (I’ll share that wild story another time—it’s a good one.)

Sometimes Messages Come Through Even When I’m Not Listening

Even when I’m not meditating or tuning in, sometimes I’ll hear a quick nudge—“Don’t go that way,” or “Talk to that person,” or “Let it go.” These messages come through like TV in the background. I might be focused on something else, but because I’ve practiced tuning in so much, I’m still loosely connected all the time.

It’s like spiritual Bluetooth. Always paired, even if the volume is low.

So, No—It’s Not All the Time. But the Connection Is Always Available

Do I hear God every moment of every day? No. I’m human. I get distracted like everyone else. But the line is always there… and when I pause, get still, and listen, the voice comes back.

And it always brings peace.

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If you’ve been wondering how to connect with God, your spirit team, or your own divine inner voice, I’d love to support you. That’s what my 1:1 spiritual mentorship sessions are for—to help you tune in, clear the noise, and reconnect with your soul and Source.

Explore spiritual mentorship with me →

Have you ever felt like you received a message from God, an angel, or your higher self? How did it come through? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear.