Ignite Your LifeSample

Prayer Teaches You How to Hear the Voice of God

Hannah’s son, Samuel, was a miracle baby. He was the result of a praying mother. From the beginning, Samuel was dedicated to the Lord. Desiring to give God all she loved, Hannah handed her son over to Eli to live and to be mentored 24/7 in the temple of the Lord by the man of God. (See 1 Samuel 1:19–2:11.)

The Lord said Samuel’s name in the middle of the night while he was fast asleep. The voice was so clear Samuel assumed Eli was calling him from his bedroom. “He got up and ran to Eli. 'Here I am. Did you call me?”” (1 Samuel 3:5). He did not disrespect the voice by ignoring it. Nor did he take the words lightly by slowly walking toward Eli’s bedside. Samuel ran down the hall. He wanted to be called upon because it made him feel valued and loved. In response, he greatly loved his father-in-the-Lord and devoted himself to his service.

Samuel was perplexed when Eli told him he had not called for him, so he needed to return to bed. A second time, and a third time, Samuel heard the same voice call for him. Just like before, he rushed to Eli’s bedside. Eli told Samuel that he had not called for him and told him to return to bed. Samuel was embarrassed to wake Eli multiple times, but who else could have called his name? He tapped Eli’s arm on the third occasion, but this time, the priest perceived it was the Lord speaking. He told Samuel that the next time he heard his name, he should respond by saying, “Speak, your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).

“Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before” (1 Samuel 3:7). Therefore, Samuel was unable to recognize the voice of the Lord, but he was eager to learn. When he said, “Speak,” he started the conversation. Samuel was committed to learning how to identify God’s voice. We must not look past those moments when we think we have heard from God. Engage in the moment by saying, “I’m listening, Lord, speak to me.”

Just for you: The relationship the Lord longs to have with you is to talk with you just as one talking with a friend.

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