Praying Through Listening
Sunday Worship Service: August 27, 2023
Praying Through Listening
Pouring Out Through Prayer Series (Message #2)
Rev. Jason Noh
Opening: Listening is the climax of prayer.
“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.” (v.7)
1. Listening prayer means having a two-way conversation.
“Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.” (v.1)
“For those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” (2:30b)
“We may pray most when we say least, and we may pray least when we say most.” (St. Augustine of Hippo)
“The fewer the words, the better the prayer.” (Martin Luther)
2. True listening leads to obedience.
“And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.’” (v.10)
Hindrances to listening prayer
a. Lack of response and disobedience
“Overexposure and under-response to truth”
“When what grieves God no longer grieves you, your heart is hard. When what bothers God doesn’t bother you anymore, your heart is hard.” (Andy Stanley)
b. Busyness and own agenda
“The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for Him.” (Oswald Chambers)
3. Listening prayer is balanced payer with conviction and confirmation.
“So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, ‘It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.’” (v.18)
Closing: There is joy of walking with God through listening His voice.