Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10

The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, "Here I am." And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."

But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.

Again the Lord called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."

"My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

A third time the Lord called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"

Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Reflect

What a fascinating story this is! A young boy and an old, partially blind priest trying to figure out what's going on in the middle of the night! It took Eli a few times (perhaps he was weary of being woken?) till he finally realized that God himself was speaking to the young Samuel. What do you make of the prayer that Eli told Samuel to say to God?

Respond

I dare you to pray this simple prayer throughout your day today: "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." Then, keep your eyes, ears, and heart open to see what God might be wanting to say to you. Remember: Prayer is a conversation. Prayer is just as much listening as it is talking.