March 15 to 21, 2009
Listening to God and Entering into Prayer

One thing I ask:
To dwell in the house of the Lord all my days,
To gaze on His goodness
And walk in His ways.
- from Psalm 27

Grace:

There is so much going on in my life, Lord. So many things that I am concerned with, worried about, and fearful of. And there are so many distractions, that I am unable to find you and feel your presence.

Speak to me Lord, in my everyday experiences. Make me still that I may recognize You as the God of my joys, my successes, my victories, even as you are the God of my concerns, my worries, and my fears.

My Lord Jesus, I beg for the grace of inner silence, that I may hear You speak to my life. I beg for the grace of stillness, that I might feel how, true to Your promise, You are with me always.

Scripture: 1 Sam 3:1-10

The LORD Calls Samuel 1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple [a] of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel.     Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."     But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. 6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 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. 9 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. 10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." Reflection: "God speaks when we are still enough to listen."

Reflection: "God speaks when we are still enough to listen."

Spend some quiet time alone and reflect on the things that have been affecting you the past few days? Think of the recent experiences you've had and try to remember those that caused you to feel pain and anxiety, joy and consolation.

As you stop and look at these experiences and feelings, be still and listen to what God is saying to you. Where do you feel God is leading you and inviting you especially during this period of Lent?

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Grace:

During these days of Lent, as I recall your Passion, walk with me, Lord. May I remember that in Your great love, you sacrificed everything, that I might share in Your new and everlasting life.

Give me the grace to desire You Lord, that I might seek you in the busyness of my life, find you in all my experiences, and love you more in the people around me.

I humbly beg for the grace of awareness and sensitivity to Your presence and call. Teach me Lord and remind me always to find time to be still and to listen.

Next week, we ponder on our belovedness and discover God's Unconditional Loving.