Has God Ever Spoken to You Directly?': Here's How Blaze Readers Responded

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Recently, we asked readers if God has ever spoken to them directly. For those who don't believe in a higher power, the question might seem odd, however many Americans report hearing -- either audibly or through other means -- from God.

Consistent with past findings, the overwhelming majority of Blaze readers in our latest poll said that they are Christians (of the 3,352 individuals who answered the question, 96 percent make this claim). And these individuals, based on their own account, are extremely close with the Almighty.

Overall 93 percent of respondents reported sometimes feeling God's presence, with 94 percent claiming that they also feel connected to God while they pray. And, more than nine in ten (92 percent) said they have felt "God's presence through an unexplained peace -- especially during troubling circumstances."

While these aforementioned indicators are either personal or internal measures of connectedness, the results changed a bit when Blaze readers were asked about more specific and direct communications with God. While 66 percent answered affirmatively when asked if they have ever felt the Lord communicate with them "through mental imagery," the proportion of those claiming they have heard Him speak directly was much lower; four in 10 (41 percent) reported hearing God speak audibly, while 59 percent said they have never had such an experience. Similarly, only 42 percent of Blaze readers said that God has visited them in their sleep (i.e. through a dream).

Regardless of some of these lower proportions, Blaze readers are less-than-judgmental when it comes to those who have reported that God has "spoken to them directly." In fact, when asked if people making such a claim are crazy, only 5 percent of readers answered affirmatively, with 95 percent saying "no." So, even if Blaze readers haven't experienced direct communication or connection, they are not skeptical of those who have.

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Interestingly, when the question turned away from audibly hearing God's voice to experiencing it inside one's mind, a larger proportion -- 74 percent -- of the 3,118 respondents answered that the Lord has reached them in this way. Only 26 percent of Blaze readers who participated said that they have never heard the Almighty speak in this manner.

Even though Blaze readers are less likely to experience more overt connections with God than they are more indirect (or less pronounced) ones, they are highly likely (95 percent) to believe that "visions and miracles" in the Bible -- many of which involved God directly communicating with men -- can still happen today.

The vast majority of respondents also credit God (more than 90 percent for each indicator) with "positively changing" their lives, intervening to help them "overcome a personal obstacle" and for having a "distinct plan" for their lives. 

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Related:

• Has God Ever Spoken to You Directly? TheBlaze Wants to Know About Your Most Intensely-Religious Experiences