Ep. 334 1 min
1 Samuel 3:10

Speak, for your servant is listening.

A boy named Samuel learning to recognize God's voice.

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0:001 min
Ep. 334 · 1 Samuel 3:10
Key takeaways

The episode in a glance.

  • 01Samuel was young and didn't yet know God spoke.
  • 02Eli, the old priest, taught him how to respond.
  • 03The posture is listening, not talking — most prayer is the wrong way around.
  • 04'Speak' invites; 'your servant' submits; 'is listening' waits.
Transcript

Read along.

A young boy named Samuel is sleeping in the temple. A voice calls his name. He runs to Eli, the old priest, thinking Eli called him. This happens three times before Eli realizes what's happening: God is speaking to the boy.

Eli tells him what to say. 'If he calls you, say: Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'

Notice the shape of that prayer. Speak — invite. Your servant — submit. Is listening — wait, mouth shut.

Most of our prayers are the other way around: we talk a lot, ask a lot, and don't pause to hear anything. Samuel's prayer is just nine words. It's still the right starting point.

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