Conversations With God
Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 3
Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:10
We often hear that prayer is communication with God. In communication one person conveys information or ideas to another. Newspapers, television, radio, and websites are all tools used by good communicators.
Conversation is deeper and more powerful than communication. Conversation moves us to a deeper level of communication. Conversations are the basis on which relationships are built.
The information we convey in prayer may be good and valuable. It may take the form of adoration, confession, or thanksgiving. It may be a means of presenting our needs to God. But in prayer we must do far more than just bringing our wants and needs; we must also listen. After all, good conversation requires good listening. Listening strengthens our relationship with God.
Jesus occasionally ended his teachings with the words, "He who has ears, let him hear." Those words serve as a good prayer reminder.
Often people listen only long enough to form their next idea or a response to what they have heard. They do not take the time and energy to really hear what the other person is saying. So, too, we are often so preoccupied with our own thoughts that we do not converse with God. We should try listening. We may be amazed at what we hear.
Speak, Lord; we are listening. Remove the roadblocks to understanding your concerns for us. Give us ears to hear your truth and wisdom, we pray. In Jesus' name, Amen.
About the author — Jerry Dykstra
Pastor Jerry Dykstra was recently appointed as the executive director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. After a 15-year career in business, he trained for pastoral ministry and served as the pastor of Cascade Fellowship CRC, Cascade, Michigan, and Faith Christian Fellowship CRC, Walnut Creek, California. He and his wife, Linda, live in Byron Center, Michigan, and have three children and seven grandchildren.
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