Keys for Raising Kids Who Hear God’s Voice

How do you help your kids hear God's voice? There’s actually a really profound truth tucked away in the story of one of my favorite heroes in the Bible: Hannah, Samuel’s mother. There’s something in her story that is so profound, and it helps teach us how to raise our children to know and love God and hear His voice.

You probably know the story. As Hannah grew up and got married, she wanted to have children, but for some reason she couldn’t. It was heartbreaking for her because if there was one thing she wanted more than anything else in life, it was a child.

The other women around her were having children, and some of these women would make fun of her because she couldn’t. They caused her so much pain; there were times she couldn't even eat food, and instead, she would just weep.  

Because of this, it’s safe to say she couldn’t trust the people closest to her. They had hurt her so badly. But this is where we see what makes Hannah such a hero. Even though she was in so much pain, she was so sad, and she couldn’t trust people, she still trusted God.

Instead of staying where she was, she got up and left the people she was with and went to the tabernacle to talk to God. As she began to pray, she made God a promise, telling Him that if He would give her a son, she would give him back to God forever. Her son would be His son. 

Now, this wasn’t your ordinary promise to God, because unlike some people, Hannah actually meant it. 

After she finished praying, she left the tabernacle and went home. Sure enough, as time passed, she was pregnant, and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, which means, “I was heard by God.”

Hannah knew what it was like to have a dream in her heart that seemed impossible. She knew what it was like to have people make fun of her. She spent many years being hurt by the people around her. What did she do? She took her pain to God and asked Him to make her dream come true. She knew that when it seemed like maybe no one else cared about her dreams, God cared. 

This alone is such a profound lesson for us as we contend for the dreams God has placed inside our hearts. I think it also contains another promise for us parents. Because Hannah contended for a son and trusted God, Samuel grew to be the prophet God longed to give to Israel. He was the one who heard God when no one else could. Even Eli, the priest, didn’t realize God was speaking to Samuel at first, but then Samuel grew to the point that God “let none of his words fall to the ground.”

There’s a promise in this story that when we learn to turn to God and trust Him in our pain and struggle, we can also tap into the good things He has for our kids. As we trust Him with our lives and our children’s lives, He reveals His heart for us and for them. What has God created your children to do? I encourage you to press in for each of your kids and journal what God shows you. 

Do you want to help your kids hear the voice of God? I encourage you to pray this prayer:

Lord, help me to recognize when you’re speaking to my children. God, I don’t want our family to just go through the motions when we read the Bible or when we go to church. I want our family to be people who listen to your voice when you call us. Speak to us Lord, we’re listening. We want to be an answer to Your prayer God, because I know You want people who listen to Your voice. 

There’s another thing I want you to keep in mind on this journey: you’re not allowed to ask God to speak to you and your family, and then think you’re just making up what you get. Your prayers are powerful, and if you’re expecting God to speak, you can avoid not realizing when your kids hear God like Eli did with Samuel.

When touching on Hannah’s story, I realize there are many of you who have been contending for things for years, and it can be hard to keep going in the face of disappointment. If there’s something in your life that you’re contending for and haven’t seen breakthrough in yet, pray this prayer: 

God I bring all my pain to You. Pain from not seeing my dreams fulfilled yet. Pain from other people’s hurtful words. Pain from others misunderstanding me. I bring all my pain to You, and I pour out my heart to You. I trust You with my pain and with my dreams. I trust that You hear me when it seems like no one else does. 

I join with you in prayer as Eli (eventually) did with Hannah, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel will grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”

Need help knowing how and what to pray each day? Check out my Declaration Prayer Card Sets in my shop. There are 30 short daily prayers to help increase faith, speak the word of God over your family, and help you speak blessings over your children each day!