Sometimes something pops up that’s too good not to share…
A few days ago I heard from a young man I haven’t talked with in probably 15 years. (Probably not quite so young anymore!) He asked me if I had taught him a 5-step process for decision-making and suggested what several of the points might have been.
I responded that I didn’t remember that I had such a template, but I sent him some preliminary thoughts. The next day, I was continuing my reading in a marvelous book on prayer, and and an answer to his question popped out. I sent him a follow-on letter, most of which follows:
My brother,
I’ve come to a bit more clarity…
I was reading the excellent book: Lead with Prayer: The Praying Habits of World-Changing Leaders by Skoog, Greer, and Doolittle. In the chapter on “Leaders Listen,” there are these snippets. First from John Wesley:
John Wesley had his own tool for confirming God’s voice, later named the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Wesley taught that there are four elements that together help confirm direction:
- Scripture first and foremost
- Christian experience
- Wisdom of Christian tradition through the ages
- Godly reason
The direction we receive in prayer—the impressions and nudges—must be tested against these four authorities, which provide guardrails for us as we listen for God’s voice. And even after the direction passes these tests, Scripture gives us another “runway light”: our Christian community. Page 104, bullets mine
The chapter closes with counsel from George Mueller:
As we seek to listen well, we’ve found these practical steps from George Müller instructive.
1. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever that may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
2. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or a simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
3. I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
4. Next, I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God’s will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
5. I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
6. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge; and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving the most important issues, I have found this method always effective. Page 106, 107
Thus, we have a 5-point, P-centered outline:
- Prayer (listening for the Holy Spirit)
- Precept (the scripture)
- People (the Christian community)
- Providential circumstances
- Peace
END OF LETTER
It’s a simple list, which in real life would take practice to do well, but it’s a good framework.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30.21, ESV)