Speak Lord, For Your Servant is Listening

Prayer comes in many shapes and forms, and the reading from Samuel reminds us of a very simple but necessary form of prayer — which is simply listening.  Eli helps Samuel realize that it’s the Lord calling him and not Eli.  He says to Samuel, “Say, speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”

We sometimes get caught up in verbal prayer - which is fine, repetitive prayer - which is fine, maybe reading scripture or other sacred books.  But this form of prayer is very basic; to just be quiet with the Lord.  To be attentive to the Lord’s presence in our midst.

We might all find some quiet place to go today and say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

Monsignor Daniel Hoye