Good Thinking: Samuel and a Journey of Prayer

Samuel was an Old Testament prophet, priest, and judge. Samuel’s life from birth to death was a “journey-of-prayer.” Before he was born, his mother Hannah prayed for a son. God heard and answered her prayer. Samuel came into this world; his name meant “name of God.” In her joy, Hannah dedicated her son to God; and gave him into the hands of Eli, the high priest, to raise. Samuel grew up in the temple. It was there that he learned to pray. When a youth, Samuel heard God’s call; and he responded in prayer: “Here I am, Lord; use me as You will!” Samuel went on to become a high priest, a prophet, and a udge over Israel. As a Judge, or Leader, of God’s people.

There came a time when God’s were threatened by an enemy army.The people begged Samuel to pray to God to rescue them. And Samuel prayed with such power that the enemy were soundly defeated!

Samuel was an answer to prayer! Hannah desired a son; Hannah prayed every day for a son. When he was born, Samuel was an answer to her prayer! Each one of us is an answer to someone’s prayer. Some father or mother deeply desired us, and prayed to God that we might be born. That is also how we became a member of the church/God’s family. Someone in the church wanted us to become a part of God’s family; someone prayed that we might be re-born and become a member of the church.

We are an answer to prayer! Who will be an answer to our prayers? Whom do we care enough about that we deeply desire for them to be a part of God’s family?

Samuel learned to pray in the temple/the church! It’s in the body-of-Christ that we learn the Lord’s Prayer, the perfect example of how we are to pray. As part of the church, we learn the great prayers of the saints. It is within the body-of-Christ that we hear the faithful pray, and we learn from them how to pray well. Samuel learned that prayer is always centered on God, and not on oneself.

Samuel’s whole life was one long “journey-of-prayer.” (1) Samuel was an answer to someone’s prayer; he knew that he was wanted and loved. (2) Samuel answered God’s call with a prayer: “Here I am; use me.” (3) As a priest, Samuel (through prayer) was in touch with the Holiness of God, in touch with the Spirit of Inspiration. (4) As a judge, Samuel (through prayer) was in touch with the Wisdom of God; Samuel was able to solve others’ situations because of the wisdom and insight he gained from God. (5) As a leader, Samuel (through prayer) was in touch with the Power of God. So Samuel was able to defeat the enemies and to win the victories. (6) As a prophet, Samuel (through prayer) was in touch with the Word of God; this enabled him to speak with authority, to be God’s voice to the people and God’s representative to the world.

We, like Samuel, are an answer to prayer! We, like Samuel, find that the best place to learn to pray is in the church! We, like Samuel, find that prayer keeps us in touch with God’s Holiness, with God’s Wisdom, with  God’s Power, with God’s Holy Word! As we journey through Lent, let it be for each of us a “journey-of-prayer!” So, that by Easter, we will be closer to God that we’ve ever been before! AMEN!