Reflection - Listening in Prayer

by Uniting Church in Australia President, Rev Charissa Suli

One of the things I love about the story of Samuel, in 1 Samuel 3:1-10, is that it begins with someone who has not yet recognised the voice of God.

Samuel is young. He is serving in the temple under Eli when, in the middle of the night, he hears his name: “Samuel!” He assumes it is Eli calling him, so he gets up and goes to Eli. This happens three times before Eli realises what is happening and helps Samuel understand that God is calling.

The story begins in a difficult season. We are told that “the word of the LORD was rare in those days” (1 Samuel 3:1). Yet just a few verses later, we hear these hopeful words: “the lamp of God had not yet gone out” (v.3).  I love that image!

Even when the path ahead is unclear, the lamp of God has not gone out. Christ remains with his Church. The Spirit is still at work among us. Perhaps renewal begins here — not in all our plans, but in learning again how to listen.

Samuel did not recognise God’s voice straight away. He needed Eli to help him understand what he was hearing. Sometimes we need others to help us listen, too. Discernment is not something we always do alone.

In many Pacific cultures, including my own Tongan and Maori heritage, listening is deeply relational. We listen in community, to our elders and to stories, and we make space to hear one another. Our Covenant relationship with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress also calls the wider Church to listen deeply to First Peoples, honouring their voices, stories and relationship with Country as we continue to walk together.

As we enter these 40 Days of Prayer, perhaps our first task is not to arrive with all the answers but to become still enough to listen.  The Uniting Church describes us as a pilgrim people, always on the way towards a promised goal, sustained by the Spirit so we do not lose our way. We do not have all the answers for the road ahead. We return to Scripture, listen to one another, and together seek to discern where Christ is leading his Church.

Listening will not always be comfortable. The word Samuel eventually receives from God is difficult. Sometimes the Spirit comforts us, and at other times the Spirit unsettles us and calls us to change. That too is part of renewal.

Samuel finally says:

“Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)

Perhaps that can be our prayer during these forty days: Speak, Lord. We are listening.

Not only, what do we want for our Church?
But, Jesus, what are you saying to your Church?

When Christ calls us, may the Holy Spirit grant us the humility to listen and the courage to follow.