Monday October 9, 2023

Today is Monday, October 9 and we are exploring what the Bible says about listening.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I breathe slowly and deeply and focus myself on the presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I am here to listen for your voice speaking in my life. Reveal the message you have for me through the power of your Holy Spirit. Teach me what it means to listen to my brothers and sisters in the faith in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I join the ancient peoples and praise the Lord God Almighty with the words of Psalm 46.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:9-11

Pause and Pray

God is revealing himself to the world. God manifests himself to humanity in tangible ways every moment of every day. From the beginning of time God has been speaking. By his word, God spoke all things into existence and ever since then, he has been speaking to his Creation. His voice has been heard in many ways, but his final word is the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. God is speaking, the question is, are we listening? The ability of humans to listen and hear God’s communication is how God breaks into the affairs of this world. Our ability to listen and hear God’s communication to us is how God breaks into the affairs of our lives. In the story of Samuel’s call, God reveals himself through both word and vision. According to Jewish tradition, Samuel was twelve years old serving in the Temple under Eli the priest. Eli’s eyesight was failing and Samuel had the duty of monitoring the lamp that burned from evening to morning. Immediately before dawn, God spoke to Samuel with an audible voice.

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.” 1 Samuel 3:7-10

Samuel demonstrated the perfect posture of listening. The Lord spoke to Samuel and called his name three times. Samuel did not recognize the voice as God’s but was eager to please his mentor Eli and ran to see what the older man might want. I reflect on times when God has spoken to me, perhaps even called my name, but I did not recognize God’s voice. Eli is more spiritually mature than Samuel and is able to guide him on how to hear God’s voice. Who do I have in my life who is spiritually more mature and can guide me on listening for God’s voice? What tools do I have to discern God’s speaking to me? Samuel is instructed to lie down and wait for God to speak and then respond with a posture of listening. I consider Eli’s instruction, “If he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” I make that my prayer today – “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Ask: What can I do in my daily life to adopt a more effective posture of listening for God? What are the obstacles I encounter when listening for God?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I am grateful that you continue to speak into my life and call my name, even though I do not always recognize your voice. Sanctify me by your grace in the power of your Holy Spirit and enable me to position myself so that I can more clearly hear and understand what you are saying on a daily basis. I long to hear your direction and guidance. I read 1 Samuel again, listening for the message you have for me today.

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.” 1 Samuel 3:7-10

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider the times I felt nudged by God. God has called my name or tried to reach me in particular ways, a nudge, a whisper, a thought, a dream, or an impression. I did not always recognize God despite his efforts. How have I historically been open and receptive to God’s conversation in my life? Conversely, what have I done to prevent myself from hearing God’s voice? Have I eagerly approached God, like Samuel, being present and inviting him to speak? Have I been too preoccupied, drowning out the voice of God with the ever-pressing, swirling voices of the world? I consider how difficult it is for me to be still, to lie down, to wait, to listen for God. What might God be trying to advise me about my posture of listening? How can I grow to become more receptive to God’s voice and obey his instruction?

Pause and Pray

Loving God, whisper to me in the stillness of my soul. I long to hear your voice and invite you to speak. I am your loving servant and I am listening. In the busyness of daily life it is difficult to find quiet and peace. Help me to do so and meet me there. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

As it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I open the ears of my heart and hope to improve my ability to listen to God and others.

Amen