A Year of Prayer: Season One Weekday DevotionalsSample

God came and stood there, calling Samuel—not only a voice but the presence of God in the temple. God was not just calling for a law to be obeyed or a command to be enacted, as often had happened when revelations or prophecies were delivered. God began speaking to Samuel by invitation—a call to listen. It is said that our own names are the most precious words in our language. By name, Samuel was identified.

God did not call the master priest Eli, who had served in those same rooms for decades and his family generations before him.

Why would God call a child? Why would God issue an invitation? Why would God reveal himself to the younger, not the older?

God mystifies, charms, invites, wows, and terrifies. God does not tease us or bargain glory to get our attention. God is patient, loving, and kind. God does not judge by outward appearance but by the heart. God uses the small things, the young minds, the low stature, and the humble in the heart that is open to teaching - those are who God chooses to reveal the kingdom. Do we recognise the way God calls, and do we aim to be the people in that same humble position of calling?

Will we recognise God’s name as the most precious name in every language? Samuel did, and so must we.

Speak, Lord, for we are listening.

Prayer: God, humble me to listen, I pray. Keep me seeking.

Action: Draw a picture of an ear. What is needed from us in order to listen?