“How can I tell if I’m really hearing God in prayer or if it’s just my own thoughts?”
That is a good and honest question and a sign that you are taking your relationship with God seriously. Most of us ask this at some point, usually when we begin to listen more closely and realize prayer is not just us talking at God but something more like a conversation.
The short answer is this: God’s voice brings clarity, not confusion. He does not contradict Himself. He does not lead you away from the Church, the Scriptures, or the commandments. If what you are hearing invites you to deeper love, sacrifice, trust, or repentance, it is worth paying attention to. If it stirs pride, fear, haste, or isolation, it is probably not Him.
Here are a few ways to test what you are hearing:
Check it against the faith. God will not tell you something that goes against what He has already revealed. He is not going to whisper something in your heart that runs contrary to the Gospel or the wisdom of the Church.
Look at the fruit. God’s voice might challenge you, but it will not crush you. Over time, it brings peace. Not always comfort, but peace. If the result is restlessness, resentment, or panic, step back and pray again.
Don’t go it alone. Bring it to your confessor or spiritual director. Talk to someone you trust in the faith. God often confirms things in community, not just in private.
Remember that God is patient. He does not rush. He does not play games. If something is truly from Him, it will keep showing up gently but persistently and will stand up to prayer, Scripture, and the wisdom of the Church.
