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Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 67:1-7 | 1 Samuel 2:22-4:22 | John 5:24-47 | Proverbs 14:30-31

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Samuel 2:22- 4:22

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. [10] 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 3:9-10 NIV)

“I suspect that the difference between a person of seasoned prayer and one of smaller prayer experience is the amount of time they spend talking rather than listening.” Calvin Miller

Are we listening? Are we really listening? Are we taking the time to know the heart of the Father so that we know—really know—his voice?

In Samuel’s day, the word of the Lord was rare. Not many were hearing from God. Not because God was not speaking. It was because the people were preoccupied with other things—and they weren’t seeking or listening.

Even Samuel needed to learn how to listen. And the key to learning to listen is take the time to know the Father’s heart, to know him deeply and intimately. And of course, we must wait expectantly, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”

We are very good at talking, but not so good at taking the time to wait in God’s presence and listen. We, too, need to learn the lessons of young Samuel. Take the time to wait in his presence. Say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” and then enjoy the fellowship of a two way conversation with God.

“Those whose prayers are unending monologues make themselves a giant mouth while making God a small ear. The best prayers are dialogues of rapport. Presence is being ‘with God.’ It is neither talking nor listening. It is abiding in the presence of God.” Calvin Miller

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