Eli Recognized the Lord’s Voice
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.”
— 1 Samuel 3:8b-10, NIV
At the time of Eli and Samuel, it was rare to hear the word of God. People just didn’t expect God to start speaking to them, so it’s no surprise that Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice when he did. After all, when you’re not expecting something, you’re probably not listening for it.
Fortunately, Eli did recognize God’s voice, and he encouraged Samuel to listen and respond the next time God spoke. Without that anticipation — that expectation that God’s word is coming — Samuel may have continued to miss it.
But because he was listening, Samuel was able to respond with a prayer: “Speak, for your servant is listening.” And that prayer opened the door for the Lord to bless Samuel’s childhood and his entire life.
7 Bible Verses and Prayers for Listening
Here, we’ll explore seven bible verses and guided prayers for children to tune their ears to the Lord’s voice.
1. 1 Samuel 3:10
“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’”
Heavenly Father, thank you for speaking to us. And thank you for speaking to children. We pray that in the quiet and in the chaos of life, children will turn their ear to you with anticipation. Help them discern your voice among the noise.
2. Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
God, thank you for using your Word to speak up for children. We pray that societies will see children as you see them and invest in them accordingly. May all young people be cherished as the gift from you that they are.
3. Matthew 19:14
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
Lord, thank you for allowing little children to come to you, unhindered. We pray that those who feel weak will be made strong. May those who are broken be made whole. And may those who are vulnerable be protected.
4. Matthew 18:3
“And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”
Father God, thank you for the innocence and vulnerability of children. We pray that the faith of children will be modeled more throughout the world. May even the most seasoned adults turn and become like children.
5. 1 Samuel 3:8
“The Lord called Samuel a third time, 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.”
Lord, thank you for the men and women who teach children as Eli taught Samuel. We pray that you will give them strength and patience as they invest in young lives. May they, too, be able to recognize your voice, as Eli did.
6. Matthew 18:1
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’”
God, thank you for preparing the kingdom of heaven for us — and for making children the greatest in that kingdom. We pray that young people will accept you as their Savior and look forward to eternity in heaven with you.
7. 1 Samuel 3:10
“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’”
Father, thank you for the gift of your Word. Thank you that it guides children closer to you. We pray that young people will have the courage to answer your call with the same prayer as Samuel so many years ago: “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
