It's here: Part 9 of the 9 part series - how to get prayers answered
The Rhythm of The Prophets Part I - D1
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
9/1/20262 min read
Speak, Lord
“Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for Your servant hears.’” — 1 Samuel 3:10, NKJV
The house of God is quiet. Eli has gone to bed, the lamps are still burning, and you lie down near the ark of God expecting the night to pass like any other.
Then you hear your name.
“Samuel!”
You jump up and run to Eli. “Here I am, for you called me.”
But Eli didn't call.
You return to bed, only to hear your name again. And again, you run to Eli. It happens a third time before Eli finally understands what you don't yet recognize.
God is speaking.
There is something striking about Samuel being so close to the ark of God and yet not recognizing the voice of God. He is serving in the sanctuary. He is surrounded by sacred things. Still, he has to learn how to distinguish God's voice from every other voice he knows.
We can be closer to Samuel's experience than we realize. We can attend church, read Scripture, pray, serve, and become familiar with the things of God while our hearts remain untrained in recognizing when God is speaking personally to us. Sometimes His Word convicts us and we call it discomfort. His Spirit nudges us and we call it coincidence. He redirects us and we resist because His answer sounds different from the one we hoped to hear.
Finally, Eli tells Samuel to stop running and listen.
So when the Lord calls again, Samuel responds, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
That prayer requires more than open ears. It requires a surrendered heart. Samuel isn't saying, “Speak, Lord, and I'll decide whether I agree.” He is making himself available before he knows what God will say.
Centuries later, Jesus would say, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” The Shepherd still speaks through His Word. He still calls hearts away from distraction, compromise, fear, and self-direction. And the closer we walk with Christ, the more familiar His voice becomes.
As we begin this journey through the prophets, perhaps the first question isn't whether God has something to say.
Perhaps it is whether we are willing to hear Him when He does.
What if God has already been speaking, and the invitation today is simply to stop running long enough to listen?
Set aside a few quiet minutes with God today without beginning with your requests. Open His Word and pray Samuel's prayer: “Speak, Lord. Your servant hears.” Then ask for a heart willing to obey whatever He reveals.
Scripture Promise:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” — John 10:27, NKJV
Prayer:
Father, give us a willing heart to hear and obey. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
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