P3 Hub Podcast - Anthony Bligh

Is God Speaking, or Is It Just Me? How to Hear God’s Voice in the Noise

Welcome back to the P3 Hub! If you’ve been tracking with us, you know that P3 stands for Prayer, Power, and Proclamation - the three pillars that help us step into our true identity as children of God.

In our latest episode of the P3 Hub Podcast, co-author and host Lance Peppler sat down with Anthony Bligh, the Youth Minister at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Pyrford. Anthony shared his journey from being the "wild child" running around his local church in Bookham to stepping fully into a calling to guide the next generation.

But the absolute gold in this episode came when the conversation shifted to the first "P" in our framework: Prayer.

If you’ve ever sat in silence, wondering if you’re actually hearing from God or just listening to your own racing thoughts, Anthony’s insights are exactly what you need.

Redefining Prayer: More Than Just a Wishlist

Growing up, many of us were taught that prayer is essentially a grocery list of requests we hand over to God. But Anthony challenges us to look back at Genesis 2, where God literally walked in the garden with Adam and Eve.

"God has always wanted to be in a relationship with us; He’s always wanted to walk with us," Anthony explains. "Prayer is the way in which we are able to do that. It’s coming into His presence for Him to be able to minister and talk to us."

Prayer isn't just a one-way broadcast. It’s a two-way street. We are good at the talking part, but are we actually making space for God to respond?

The "Be Still" Method: Practical Steps for a Noisy Mind

Making space for the Holy Spirit sounds great in theory, but how do we actually do it when our minds are constantly buzzing? Anthony shared a practical exercise he does with his youth group called the "Be Still" session. Here is how you can try it at home:

1. Clear the Deck Find a quiet room. Leave your phone in another room to remove any temptation to scroll or check notifications.

2. Do a "Brain Dump" When you sit down to pray, your mind will inevitably flood with everything you need to do - groceries, work emails, errands. Anthony suggests keeping a notepad handy. Write all those distracting thoughts down to get them out of your head. Once they are on paper, your mind is free to focus. 3. Ask and Listen Once your mind is clear, ask a simple question: "God, I am here and I am listening. What do you want to say to me?"Then... wait.

Is That God, or Is It Just Me?

When you ask God to speak, He rarely answers with an audible, booming voice from the clouds. Anthony points out that God speaks to our whole being. You might get a single word, a picture in your mind, a scripture passage, or even just a sudden physical sense of peace and relaxation.

But how do you know it’s God and not just your own imagination? Anthony offers a few foolproof filters:

• Does it linger? Our own thoughts are often fleeting, bouncing from one thing to the next. When God speaks, that word, picture, or feeling tends to stay anchored in our minds.

• Does it align with Scripture? This is the ultimate test. If you hear a voice telling you that you are worthless or a failure, that is not from God. As Anthony reminds us, read Ephesians 1: God calls us adopted, chosen, and beloved. A loving Father doesn't tear His children down. If the thought contradicts the Bible, you can confidently toss it out.

• Is it uplifting? God will challenge us, but His voice is always meant to build us up, encourage us, and guide us closer to Him, never to harm or degrade us.

The Power of Community

Even the most spiritually mature Christians sometimes struggle to interpret what God is saying. Lance shared a vulnerable story about his own father, Dr. Christopher Peppler (a man with three doctorates and 40 years in ministry!), receiving a vague word from God and coming to Lance to help him process it.

If a seasoned minister needs help discerning God's voice, so do we!

Anthony stresses the importance of having a "squad" of godly friends. When you receive a word or a prompting that you aren't sure about, take it to a trusted, spiritually mature friend and ask, "I feel like God might be saying this to me. What do you think?" Let your community help you test and validate what you're hearing.

Step Into the Silence This Week

We want to challenge you this week to put Anthony’s "Be Still" method to the test. Carve out 10 minutes, leave your phone behind, grab a notepad, and just listen. You might be surprised by what the Creator of the universe has to say to you.

Want to dive deeper?

• 🎧 Listen to the full conversation with Anthony Bligh on the P3 Hub Podcast.

• 📖 Read the book that started it all: P3: Prayer, Power, and Proclamation by Dr. Christopher Peppler and Lance Peppler.

• 🤝 Connect with other world-changers by joining the P3 Hub Facebook Group.

• 🌐 Visit P3hub.org for more resources to anchor your life in your true identity as a child of God.

Got a story about hearing God's voice? We’d love to hear it! Email Lance at lancepeppler@gmail.com.