The Lord Is Calling

The lord came and stood there as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

This is such a sweet reminder of the way in which the lord continually calls us into prayer with Him. I believe He calls us often, but it is easy for us to get caught up in our own world and miss His voice. This passage says the lord called as at other times, but this time Samuel was listening. And what is Samuel listening for, but the voice of the lord. We long to hear His voice, to know His will.
Prayer is something that can be deeply personal. I thought this morning of what it's like for two friends to sit and have a time of fellowship. There is an intense kind of listening that goes on. Each moment is precious as the two share stories, deeply interested in each other's lives. Perhaps there will be advice given or heartfelt concern for events taking shape. It's amazing to think that we can experience such a time of fellowship with Jesus. And yet it is available to us if we learn to listen for His voice and respond to His call.

"Our modern culture often sees prayer as a migic bullet or as a formula that we can use to get what we want. It isneither. But this we know: God tells us to pray; he gives his Word to guide our prayers."
-One Year Praying Through the Bible

Don't worry about anything,
instead pray about everything;
tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers.
-Phillipians 4:6