The Bible and church literature are full of beautiful, eloquent, meaningful prayers. When we pray them, they can turn our minds to the goodness of God. They help us express the longing of our hearts when words fail us.
I believe, though, that prayer is our part in a dialogue between the Father and us. Like a child recognizes a parent's voice by hearing it over and over for many weeks, months and years, we must listen to God’s voice in order to recognize it when he speaks to us.
There are many times along our spiritual journey when stillness is required so that we can hear what God wants to tell us. In those moments, perhaps the hardest, yet most impactful prayer to pray is, “I’m here, God, and I’m listening.”
The young boy Samuel had not yet come to know what the voice of God sounded like. The elder priest, Eli taught him to sit and listen when God called his name. We might not audibly hear God call our names. Studies of scripture, however, reveal that God Almighty wants to have conversations with us, his children.
We just have to be still and say, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Father, give me the grace to hear your voice when you speak to me.
For Today: Find time to sit quietly and sincerely pray Samuel’s prayer. Listen expectantly for His voice as you go through your week.
Photo Credit: Nathan Timblin