Collegiate Day of Prayer Global: 40-Day Prayer GuideSample

Day 8: Recognizing the Voice of Jesus

By Sarah Courtemanche (Sarah serves with The Navigators as the collegiate national prayer coordinator. She also partners with her husband as he oversees campus ministries in New England and New York.)

Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli… Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down… And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli… Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the young man. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’”... So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the Lord [spoke] to Samuel.

—1 Samuel 3:1, 7-10

As I’ve reflected on how God first spoke to Samuel, I’m reminded that even those who have great prayer lives and hear regularly from the Lord had to start somewhere. That is encouraging to me! Who of us have not struggled to hear the voice of the Lord or identify it from the other voices in our heads?

I appreciate how this story highlights God’s initiation towards Samuel and His persistence with him. God doesn’t give up when Samuel mishears Him multiple times! God’s words to Samuel are consistent with how He has spoken to His people in the past. God uses Eli to help Samuel discern His voice and know how to respond to it.

Do you believe God still speaks to His people? That He has words to say to you? Hearing often comes from cultivating an attentive and obedient heart toward God, like Samuel. Some suggestions include:

1. Make a regular habit of pulling away from the noise of life to listen to the Lord, reflect on the Scriptures, and process with Him your hurts, longings, and normal realities. As a university student, I often took Friday afternoons to bike around town, find a quiet bench or coffee shop to read His Word, journal, and just enjoy being with the Lord—much like I would a friend! Through these and shorter daily times, I began to learn His heart and voice and trust Him with my own.
2. Like Samuel, I’ve needed others to help me recognize the voice of Jesus amidst other voices (i.e. my own, the culture’s, a parent’s voice). With whom can you connect for a season to grow in knowing Christ and His voice? Share your lives, read and reflect on the Scriptures, and pray together. Those three simple practices, over time with another person, can have radical implications for your personal life and the Kingdom of God.

PRAYER POINTS:

• Prayerfully reflect on the story of Samuel (1 Samuel 3) and its implications for your own life.
• Ask, “Jesus, how are You revealing Yourself to me through this passage?”
• Pray for Him to reveal anything He wants to show you about your own heart, beliefs, or practices.