{"id":2582,"date":"2026-08-31T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/?p=2582"},"modified":"2026-08-06T15:37:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T19:37:32","slug":"epray-ep-69-lectio-divina-old-testament-applied-to-ministry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/2026\/08\/31\/epray-ep-69-lectio-divina-old-testament-applied-to-ministry\/","title":{"rendered":"ePray | Ep. 69 Lectio Divina: Old Testament applied to ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/a>\n\n\n\r\n
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ePray | Lectio Divina: Ep. 69 Old Testament applied to Ministry<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Listen to the episode here, or read the transcript below – and don’t forget to tune in weekly!<\/p>\n

ePray | Episode 69| August 31, 2026
\nLectio Divina: Old Testament applied to ministry<\/strong>
\nWith Karen Bott – Youth for Christ Canada<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Lectio Divina: Old Testament applied to ministry
\nDate: August 31, 2026
\nScripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10<\/strong><\/p>\n

Karen Bott<\/b><\/p>\n

Part 1: Inward Focus<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Hello, and welcome to today\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Today we will be reading from 1 Samuel 3:1\u201310<\/strong><\/p>\n

The boy Samuel ministered\u00a0before the\u00a0Lord\u00a0under Eli. In those days the word of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0was rare;\u00a0there were not many visions.<\/em><\/p>\n

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. \u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>Then the\u00a0Lord\u00a0called Samuel.<\/em><\/p>\n

Samuel answered, \u201cHere I am.\u201d And he ran to Eli and said, \u201cHere I am; you called me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

But Eli said, \u201cI did not call; go back and lie down.\u201d So he went and lay down.<\/em><\/p>\n

Again the\u00a0Lord\u00a0called, \u201cSamuel!\u201d And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, \u201cHere I am; you called me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMy son,\u201d Eli said, \u201cI did not call; go back and lie down.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Now Samuel did not yet know\u00a0the\u00a0Lord: The word\u00a0of the\u00a0Lord\u00a0had not yet been revealed\u00a0to him.<\/em><\/p>\n

A third time the\u00a0Lord\u00a0called, \u201cSamuel!\u201d And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, \u201cHere I am; you called me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. \u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>So Eli told Samuel, \u201cGo and lie down, and if he calls you, say, \u2018Speak,\u00a0Lord, for your servant is listening.\u2019\u201d So Samuel went and lay down in his place.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>The\u00a0Lord\u00a0came and stood there, calling as at the other times, \u201cSamuel! Samuel!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Then Samuel said, \u201cSpeak, for your servant is listening.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Samuel was still young. He served in the temple under Eli, but he did not yet recognize God\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

During the night, Samuel hears his name being called. He runs to Eli and says, \u201cHere I am, you called me.\u201d Eli tells him that he did not call and sends him back to bed.<\/p>\n

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, \u201cSpeak, Lord, for your servant is listening.\u201d<\/p>\n

God calls once more, and Samuel listens.<\/p>\n

This passage reminds us that God speaks to young people.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Eli\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Samuel\u2019s prayer is simple: \u201cSpeak, Lord, for your servant is listening.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is a prayer of openness. It does not demand a particular answer. It simply creates space for God to speak.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What noise, pressure or busyness makes it difficult for you to listen attentively to God?<\/p>\n

Pause<\/em><\/p>\n

How can you guide young people spiritually without controlling their questions, experiences or responses?<\/p>\n

Pause<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Part 2: Outward Focus<\/strong><\/p>\n

Young people hear messages from family, friends, school, social media, culture and their own fears. We can help them to slow down, reflect and ask: Which voices lead toward truth, love, courage and life? Which voices create shame, fear or harm?<\/p>\n

Like Eli, we are called to guide without controlling. We can teach Scripture, model prayer and offer wisdom, but we should not assume that we must provide every answer. At times, our most faithful response may be to help a young person listen more carefully.<\/p>\n

Samuel\u2019s prayer is simple: \u201cSpeak, Lord, for your servant is listening.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 ministry where there is enough trust, quiet and patience for listening to happen.<\/p>\n

What voices are shaping the young people in our care, and how can we help them discern which voices are trustworthy?<\/p>\n

Pause<\/em><\/p>\n

How might we create more space for young people to ask questions, become quiet and recognize God\u2019s presence in their own lives?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Pause<\/em><\/div>\n
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Part 2: Closing Prayer<\/b><\/p>\n

We will end this time of prayer with an ancient prayer for our Father\u2019s peace and protection:<\/span><\/p>\n

O God,<\/span>
\n<\/span> from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,<\/span>
\n<\/span> and all just works do proceed:<\/span>
\n<\/span> give to your servants that peace<\/span>
\n<\/span> which the world cannot give;<\/span>
\n<\/span> that our hearts may be set to obey your will;<\/span>
\n<\/span> and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies,<\/span>
\n<\/span> may pass our time in rest and quietness;<\/span>
\n<\/span> through Jesus Christ our Lord.<\/span>
\n<\/span> Amen.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n

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Return to ePray<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Listen to this episode<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome. Our theme for August is Old Testament applied to ministry. May you find fresh insights from the OT through this guided prayer…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":2565,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91],"tags":[102,131,130,129],"class_list":["post-2582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-epray","tag-august","tag-ministry","tag-old-testament","tag-ot"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2582","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/96"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2582"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2582\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2590,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2582\/revisions\/2590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2582"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2582"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2582"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}