In any healthy relationship, communication must go both ways. This is true not only with people but also in our relationship with God. Many times, we focus on telling God what we need, how we feel, and what we hope for. While speaking to God is important, it is just as important — and often more difficult — to learn how to listen to Him.
Throughout history, God has spoken to His people in many ways, and He still speaks today. The challenge for many believers is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are truly listening. Good communication with God requires both talking and listening. If we only speak and never listen, we miss the wisdom, guidance, and comfort He wants to share.
Listening to God takes patience, humility, and a quiet heart. It may not come easily at first, but it is essential for a strong and growing faith.
You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
God often gets us ready for life’s toughest struggles in the quiet, private places of our lives. It’s during these moments alone with him — away from the noise and crowds — that we are strengthened. Spending time reading the Bible, praying, and listening for God’s voice shapes our hearts and removes anything that does not belong in our lives.
In these silent times, God draws us close, building a deep, personal relationship with us. The real fight takes place on our knees in prayer, when no one else is watching. When we learn to face our challenges in these private moments with God, the public victories will follow.
True strength for life’s battles is found in these hidden times with God.
But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
For nearly seven decades, The Kingsmen Quartet has been a staple in Southern gospel. As the group approaches its 70th anniversary, they find themselves in a season marked by both sorrow and celebration.
The past few weeks have brought significant moments. In a heartfelt message to fans, the group shared, “Some significant prayer needs and praise reports have been transpiring within our music ministry over the last few weeks, and the time has come to provide an update to our many fans and friends.” The Kingsmen delayed sharing their news out of respect for the recent passings of two beloved friends and alumni, Charles Abee and Squire Parsons.
Amid these losses, the group announced the departure of their tenor vocalist, Thomas Nalley. “It is bittersweet that the Kingsmen announce the departure of our friend and tenor vocalist, Thomas Nalley,” the post reads. Nalley, who joined the quartet nearly three years ago, quickly became a fan favorite and the voice behind such impactful songs as “Unstoppable God” and “Praying for the Prodigal.” His final concert with The Kingsmen took place on April 27.
The group expressed deep gratitude for Nalley’s contributions: “We sincerely thank him for his work, dedication, music, and genuine heart for ministry.” Nalley now turns his focus to his thriving business, Highnote Customs, which offers shirts, hats, 3D printing, and woodwork. “We pray with great expectation for the continued success of this multi-talented gentleman and friend,” the group added.
Even as they grieve and transition, The Kingsmen have reasons to rejoice. The group shared uplifting news about their office secretary, Wendi Gregg: “We are overjoyed to report that the recent major cancer surgery of our office secretary Wendi Gregg was a success. Praise God!” This praise report is a bright spot, reminding fans of the power of prayer and the resilience of the Kingsmen community.
Change is nothing new for The Kingsmen, whose lineup has evolved many times since their founding in 1956. As they search for their next tenor vocalist, the group remains anchored in faith: “As we approach our 70th anniversary and this time of transition with both prayer and anticipation, we are once again reminded of how God has never failed us. He has always been faithful.”
The Kingsmen are grateful for the friends and familiar faces who have stepped in to help during this period. “We greatly appreciate several friends and familiar faces who have been and will be filling in for us while we prayerfully seek our next tenor vocalist,” they wrote, assuring fans that “God already has the right man to help us continue our concert ministry forward to the next generation.”
Prayer is an important part of faith, but it can be challenging to know how to pray effectively. Even though the Bible teaches a lot about prayer, the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:26 that “we do not know how to pray as we should.” This is because we often don’t know what’s best in a given situation.
When faced with difficult circumstances, like praying for someone with cancer, it’s hard to know exactly what to ask for. Should we pray for healing or for God’s will to be done, even if that means the person passes away? We may not understand how God plans to use illness or hardship for a greater purpose, such as bringing people to faith.
The key is to pray sincerely while trusting God with the outcome. We can express our desires to God, but ultimately we need to defer to His wisdom and plan. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
So while we may not always know the right words to say, we can pray passionately and honestly, leaving the final results in God’s capable hands. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, expressing the deep longings of our hearts that we can’t put into words ourselves.
The Craguns, a dynamic family gospel group, is made up of Jordan and Elena Cragun, along with Jordan’s father Ray and sister Savannah, the group has built a reputation for heartfelt harmonies and a deep, spiritual connection with their audience. The Craguns’ music is a reflection of their faith and dedication to spreading the message of God’s love and grace.
Their latest song, “Wasted Words,” is a reminder. It shows that no prayer is ever wasted. No sincere cry for help is wasted, nor are any honest words offered to God. Jordan Cragun passionately believes that as Christians, we should never hesitate to reach out to God in times of need or joy. He said, “I am so thankful for a God who cares about everything we face and that we can go boldly to Him with our petitions and our concerns and even our praises, and there are no wasted words with God.”
This sentiment lies at the heart of “Wasted Words,” a song that centers on the idea that every conversation with God is meaningful, whether spoken in moments of joy or despair. The lyrics echo Matthew 6:5–8 as the song song encourages listeners to pray sincerely, without worrying about rehearsing or performing their prayers. It is not the public display of piety that matters, but the authenticity of our hearts. God listens to the words we speak in private, knowing our true intentions.
Listen for “Wasted Words” playing now on Texas Gospel Canada!
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