what does the bible say?
The Bible presents many examples of sane, intelligent people talking with God: Noah (Genesis 6:13), Abraham (Genesis 12:1), Moses (Exodus 3:4), Elijah (1 Kings 19:9–10), David (1 Samuel 23:2), Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10), Jesus (Matthew 3:17; John 14:16), and the apostles (Acts 1:8). Though Scripture shows that God spoke audibly to certain figures in the Bible, that sort of communication is non-normative today since He has given us His written word and His living Word, Jesus (Hebrews 1:1–2). Rather, the Bible teaches that prayer is a key way believers talk to the Lord. The New Testament instructs Christians to pray and gives many examples of that (Acts 2:42; Colossians 1:3, 9; 4:2–4; James 5:13–18; 1 Peter 4:7; 3 John 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18). Jesus's prayer in John 17 is particularly noteworthy. He also taught His disciples how to pray (Luke 11:2–4; Matthew 6:9–13). Scripture speaks of its own authority as the final arbiter when someone claims to have heard from God (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). Believers have the privilege of talking to the Lord and knowing He hears us.