Pray. Pause. Discern.

Ron Hale
Jul 27, 2025
5 min read

Let’s talk. Just you and me.

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you prayed about it over and over again, thinking, “God, please just let me have this”? Maybe it was a relationship, a new job, a house, an opportunity: you name it. You felt like if you could just get this one thing, everything else would fall into place.

And then… it showed up.

It looked good. It felt like the answer you’d been waiting for. You were sure it was from God. But then, little by little, it started falling apart. The peace you thought you had disappeared. Things got confusing. It felt hard. Maybe even painful. And you started to wonder, “God… did You really send this?”

Yeah. I’ve been there too.

Here’s the truth: when we pray, two are listening. God hears us, yes. But so does the enemy. And that part right there? A lot of people don’t realize it.

I know what you might be thinking: Can the enemy even hear my prayers? If you’re praying silently, the answer is no. Silent prayers are between you and God alone. There’s nothing in Scripture that suggests the enemy can read your mind. Only God knows the heart. 1 Kings 8:39 says, “You alone know every human heart,” and Jeremiah 17:10 echoes the same truth: “I, the Lord, search the heart and examine the mind.”

The enemy isn’t all-powerful. He’s not God. He can’t hear what you don’t speak. But he can watch, listen, and use what you say and do to try and set traps.

When you pray out loud; especially for specific things like success, healing, or relationships, he can target those areas and try to mislead you. He’ll manipulate circumstances to make something seem like it came from God… when in fact, it’s meant to distract, detour, or destroy.

Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with praying out loud or praying with others. Scripture shows us the power of agreement when two or more gather in His name. God moves in beautiful ways through community and shared prayer.

But even then, we need to pray with discernment. Not every voice in the room is from God. Some people may mean well, but unknowingly partner with the wrong spirit. That’s why it’s so important to stay rooted in truth, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and aware of who you're inviting into those sacred moments.

Let me say this clearly: the enemy can’t create anything new. He doesn’t have that kind of power. But what he can do is listen to what you want, and then send you a knockoff. It might look good on the outside but come with strings attached. It feels like a blessing, until you’re stuck in it, wondering how to break free.

That’s exactly what happened to me many years ago. I prayed out of desperation and assumed what showed up was from God. But once I stepped into it, I realized I was wrong. It didn’t bring peace, it drained me. It didn’t build me up, it tried to break me down. And getting out? That wasn’t easy. I had to learn the hard way: just because something shows up after you pray doesn’t mean it came from God.

Sometimes, it’s the enemy trying to get you to settle, to accept something lesser than what God truly has for you. The enemy loves to show up early with counterfeits. And when we’re desperate or impatient, we’re more likely to fall for them.

That’s why we must be careful. Not fearful, but wise. Because discernment matters. Not every yes is a blessing, and not every open door is a divine one.

Think about it:

Have you ever taken a job that seemed perfect at first, but then it just wore you out?
Have you been in a relationship that felt right in the beginning but slowly turned into a fight you didn’t want?
Have you ever thought you were hearing God’s voice, only to end up feeling totally lost and confused?

Same here. Guilty as charged.

And here’s another thing, be very careful who you pray with. Prayer is intimate: it’s more than conversation; it’s agreement. And spiritual agreement opens spiritual doors. That’s why who you pray with matters.

Not every “prayer partner” is in alignment with God’s will. Someone may say all the right words, but their heart could be full of pride, jealousy, bitterness, hidden motives, or even unbelief. The enemy is the craftiest creature God ever made. His number one goal? To separate you from God.

So before you join in prayer with someone, ask yourself: Do I feel the peace of God, or is something inside me saying, 'Be careful'? Do I trust this person’s walk with God? Have I prayed privately, “Lord, if this person is not in alignment with You, close the door”? Be willing to step back, even politely, if something feels off. Your spiritual health and connection with God come first.

This is also why we’re told to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). In simple words? Double-check where that answer is coming from. Don’t just ask for the thing, ask about the thing.

“God, is this really from You?” And then pause. Wait. Listen. Real peace doesn’t hide. God is not the author of confusion.

Here’s what I know now: God’s blessings won’t leave you anxious, confused, or stuck. You won’t have to run around looking for confirmation. His Spirit and His Word will confirm it.

“The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22)

I’m not saying this to scare you; I’m saying it to protect you. Because I wish someone had told me sooner: sometimes, what looks like a breakthrough is actually a breakdown in disguise.

Take your time when you pray. Be honest with God; tell Him what you want, but surrender completely. Choose His will over your own, no matter the cost.

“Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

God will never lead you through confusion. His voice is clear. His timing comes with peace. His blessings won’t leave you regretting the day you said yes.

The enemy can offer a counterfeit. And yes, even people, well-meaning or not, can partner with the wrong spirit without knowing it. That’s why we need to pray for discernment. Protect your heart. Stay close to God’s Word. Don’t just go after what looks good, follow what’s truly from Him.

Pray with me:

God,

I don’t want just anything, I want what comes from You. Help me recognize the difference between Your voice and the enemy’s. If I’m asking for something that’s not Your will, please show me. Close the doors that need to stay closed, and give me the strength to wait on You. Teach me to trust Your timing instead of chasing my own. I only want what brings peace, purpose, and more of You.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s talk. Just you and me.

And then… it showed up.

Yeah. I’ve been there too.

Here’s the truth: when we pray, two are listening. God hears us, yes. But so does the enemy. And that part right there? A lot of people don’t realize it.

The enemy isn’t all-powerful. He’s not God. He can’t hear what you don’t speak. But he can watch, listen, and use what you say and do to try and set traps.

When you pray out loud; especially for specific things like success, healing, or relationships, he can target those areas and try to mislead you. He’ll manipulate circumstances to make something seem like it came from God… when in fact, it’s meant to distract, detour, or destroy.

Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with praying out loud or praying with others. Scripture shows us the power of agreement when two or more gather in His name. God moves in beautiful ways through community and shared prayer.

Sometimes, it’s the enemy trying to get you to settle, to accept something lesser than what God truly has for you. The enemy loves to show up early with counterfeits. And when we’re desperate or impatient, we’re more likely to fall for them.

That’s why we must be careful. Not fearful, but wise. Because discernment matters. Not every yes is a blessing, and not every open door is a divine one.

Think about it:

Have you ever taken a job that seemed perfect at first, but then it just wore you out?

Have you been in a relationship that felt right in the beginning but slowly turned into a fight you didn’t want?

Have you ever thought you were hearing God’s voice, only to end up feeling totally lost and confused?

Same here. Guilty as charged.

And here’s another thing, be very careful who you pray with. Prayer is intimate: it’s more than conversation; it’s agreement. And spiritual agreement opens spiritual doors. That’s why who you pray with matters.

Not every “prayer partner” is in alignment with God’s will. Someone may say all the right words, but their heart could be full of pride, jealousy, bitterness, hidden motives, or even unbelief. The enemy is the craftiest creature God ever made. His number one goal? To separate you from God.

This is also why we’re told to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). In simple words? Double-check where that answer is coming from. Don’t just ask for the thing, ask about the thing.

“God, is this really from You?” And then pause. Wait. Listen. Real peace doesn’t hide. God is not the author of confusion.

Here’s what I know now: God’s blessings won’t leave you anxious, confused, or stuck. You won’t have to run around looking for confirmation. His Spirit and His Word will confirm it.

“The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22)

I’m not saying this to scare you; I’m saying it to protect you. Because I wish someone had told me sooner: sometimes, what looks like a breakthrough is actually a breakdown in disguise.

Take your time when you pray. Be honest with God; tell Him what you want, but surrender completely. Choose His will over your own, no matter the cost.

“Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

God will never lead you through confusion. His voice is clear. His timing comes with peace. His blessings won’t leave you regretting the day you said yes.

The enemy can offer a counterfeit. And yes, even people, well-meaning or not, can partner with the wrong spirit without knowing it. That’s why we need to pray for discernment. Protect your heart. Stay close to God’s Word. Don’t just go after what looks good, follow what’s truly from Him.

Pray with me:

God,

In Jesus’ name, amen.