Hello, and welcome to today’s epray. As we begin I invite you to find a comfortable spot to sit, in a corner somewhere with a blanket, or even in your office with the door shut, or perhaps with your team.

And as you find that comfortable place I invite you to settle into it. And allow your mind to stop racing and for your heart to begin to posture itself before God and what he wants to say to you today

Today we will be reading from 1 Samuel 3:1–10

The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was.  Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.  So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

The story of Samuel begins in a quiet and uncertain time. Scripture tells us that the word of the Lord was rare, and visions were not common.

Samuel was still young. He served in the temple under Eli, but he did not yet recognize God’s voice.

During the night, Samuel hears his name being called. He runs to Eli and says, “Here I am, you called me.” Eli tells him that he did not call and sends him back to bed.

This happens three times. Eventually Eli realizes that God is calling the boy. He tells Samuel that, should the voice come again, he is to respond, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

God calls once more, and Samuel listens.

This passage reminds us that God speaks to young people.

Samuel was inexperienced. He did not yet understand what was happening, but God was already calling him. His age did not make him spiritually unimportant. His lack of experience did not prevent God from working in his life.

Eli’s role is also important. At first, Eli does not understand what is happening. But once he recognizes that God may be speaking, he does not take control. He does not tell Samuel exactly what God will say. Instead, he helps Samuel become attentive and gives him language with which to respond.

Our task is not simply to speak to young people about God. It is also to help them recognize how God may already be speaking in their own lives.

Samuel’s prayer is simple: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

It is a prayer of openness. It does not demand a particular answer. It simply creates space for God to speak.

Perhaps one of the most important gifts we can give young people is a space where there is enough trust, quiet and patience for listening to happen.

What noise, pressure or busyness makes it difficult for you to listen attentively to God?

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How can you guide young people spiritually without controlling their questions, experiences or responses?

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