I would tend to say a rule of prayer. It strikes me that any rule of prayer moves you in the direction of prayer without ceasing. Prayer is a primary vehicle of mystical connection to God. It’s hard to discern or do what God wills if you are not in that moment aware of him.

Prayer, a Bible, and loving relationships

Prayer.
I have not met a saint yet who I admire for having their spiritual compass in working order who did not have a good solid prayer life.

Grace. Grace for my mistakes and grace to others for the wrongs they do. If we live with grace towards others, we are likely in line with what God would have us be doing (since that’s what Jesus modeled).

Charity (in KJV or love as translated in other versions).
Doug

The Body of Christ, the Bible and prayer (especially the listening side) would seem to create a pretty tight (and complete) circle.

A good sense of humor.

The bible and the holy spirit.

A willingness to listen and value the other person, to find God’s image stamped in them and cherish it. They will never care how much we know until they know how much we care, John Maxwell says.

I don’t know if this counts as a tool but selflessness and grace are ones I thought of.

Vows of “poverty (living in simplicity), chastity (living in love with all), and obedience (living and witnessing the Gospel).” Wording taken from “http://www.franciscan-brothers.net/”.

Listening with a teachable spirit and living what you learn

I find that if I want to hear afresh from God it helps to be in compliance with what he’s already shown me. If I’m not already doing the things he’s shown me, why should I expect to get more direction? Sometimes this is as simple a matter as doing those things which I know his Word already teaches me to do. So, yes, his Word, and yes, the Holy Spirit, but for me it’s also trusting and obeying so that I can be in that place where he’s ready to continue leading a willing heart. I think sometimes he’s just up the path waiting for me to get to the next check point but I get anxious and sidetracked so that I’m not at our appointed meeting place at the appointed time.

patience

Expectancy.

I agree with Scott M…a rule of prayer. Prayer is not simply communication but it is related as well to abiding, closeness to, and acknowledging God in all of our ways. It is in the context of abiding / prayerful relationship that we are most able to receive Gods will…when he chooses to reveal it:-)

1. a humble heart toward God
2. the Love of God in the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ
3. relate with God

A desire to listen and discern springing from the love God has for me.

The Bible and the Holy Spirit.

“What do you think is the most important tool or tools to carry?”
A full bag of clubs.

Holy Spirit, my bible and the phone number of a powerful prayer partner.

1) Close relationship with God through prayer
2) Bible
3) Godly counsel
I believe the Holy Spirit works through all of these together to help us discern His will for our lives.

Keeping in step with the Spirit, per Gal 5, Eph 4, Col 3 (and other passages). In large part, this means offering patience, gentleness, gratitude, respect, help, forgiveness and the like (the stuff I’m not good at). It means not dividing up in little groups and rejecting everyone else, being angry, bitter, greedy, or lustful (the stuff I’m good at!).
More and more, I also see the need for prayer. Have read a good number of books this semester, including Hallesby’s classic “Prayer”, “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Cymbala, “A Sacred Sorrow” by Michael Card, “When God Doesn’t Answer Your Prayer” by Sittser. A recurring theme: helplessness, desperation, hunger for God. My wife and I are beginning to develop a discipline of praying together. It does something, it IS something profound.

I try to maintain a moral and ethical compass through my response to the imperatives of the New Testament and a sense of societal reality through the history and reflections of the Old Testament. I pray for inner guidance from the Holy Spirit. I also take notice of and summarise in writing – my dreams – which provide a counter balance to my ego and from time to time offer guidance in specific choices.
In this last, I have become convinced over some 25 years that dreams often carry guidance from God which may help encourage one in a proposed action or alternatively warn one of an aspect, attitude or behaviour one has ignored or been unaware of. I regret that the western Christian culture I grew up in has been so dismissive of a resource of such deep value. For the first 50 years of my life I was lacking a very important “tool”.
A simple Biblical example is Paul’s decision to travel to Macedonia (Acts16:9-12)
Morton Kelsey was the Christian author who outlined for me the subject of dreams from an historical and Biblical orientation

Conversation Partners.

I like the emphasis on prayer. Perhaps, for me, I would add discernment.

a sense of humour

Yep, I’d agree with prayer (the unceasing kind), Community and the Bible.

If asked before the invention of the printing press, I’d say a rule of prayer. I think we know about wonderful journeys by those who did not have their own copy of the Bible.

I’ve got to ask this question. Does looking for a tool to help me discern and do God’s will sound Pelagian/semi-Pelagian to anyone else?

Grace, Love, Generosity and Winsomeness.
Peace,
Randy

tool or tools?
prayer or rule of prayer, community of faith, constant intake of Scripture, passion for witness and mission in the world

Prayer, silence, the Bible and a trusted circle of mature Christians.