🙏🏾 A Simple Prayer with Profound Results

Friends,

In our [last podcast episode], I shared how prayer is a proven strategy to be clear about God’s will (preferred plans) for your life.  If you’re new to this strategy, or looking for ways to enhance your proficiency therein, then this blog post is for you!

When you’re learning something new or mastering it, simplicity is ideal.  Here’s a simple prayer that had profound results:

When the Lord called out his name for the third time, Samuel went to Eli again and said, “Here I am. What do you want?” Eli finally realized that it was the Lord who was speaking to Samuel. So he said, “Go back and lie down! If someone speaks to you again, answer, ‘I'm listening, Lord. What do you want me to do?’” Once again Samuel went back and lay down. The Lord then stood beside Samuel and called out as he had done before, “Samuel! Samuel!” “I'm listening,” Samuel answered. “What do you want me to do?” The Lord said: Samuel, I am going to do something in Israel that will shock everyone who hears about it!” (‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭11‬, ‭CEV‬‬)

Samuel’s response to God’s invitation into a conversation, also known as prayer, led to information he didn’t already know.  It also made God’s plan for him crystal clear.  Let’s unpack it and also see how we can adopt the same pattern.  Here’s what happened:

✨ Samuel demonstrated readiness.

This simple prayer, “I’m listening.  What do you want me to do?”, wasn’t just a great reply.  It showed readiness.  It was Samuel’s way of showing God he was alert, attentive, and anticipating a message.  It demonstrated that God’s message was the most important thing in that moment, even surpassing his desire to sleep.

🔥 God gave revelation.

In my humble opinion, these words are the most critical to this passage: “The Lord said …” (1 Samuel 3:11, CEV).  One of the greatest responses anyone can receive from God is His Word.  The Bible is full of evidence that when He speaks, things change.  In Samuel’s case, his understanding of God’s plan were greatly enhanced as he received revelation.  If you read the rest of 1 Samuel 3, you’ll see that God made His plans and how Samuel would be involved clear.

Now, let’s repackage what happened as a strategy we can follow:

✅ #1: Get Ready. 

In your own way, show God He has your undivided attention before you engage in conversation with Him.  It may be as simple as saying, “I’m listening.”  Then, as you pray, behave like what you said.  Don’t just rattle off what you want to say and end there.  Even while you’re sharing what you want God to know, listen for the still small voice or impressions of your heart.  These gestures show you’re anticipating a conversation, not just a ‘dump session.’

✅ #2: Anticipate Revelation. 

God responds when we want to hear from Him.  So, after creating space for Him to share with you, believe that He will.  I like how Christ reiterated anticipation here:

Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬-‭8‬, ‭CEV‬‬).  

When you show that you’re ready, God will respond.  And I’m in faith that the response will provide clarity about your role in His plans!

As soon as God says so, I’ll be back with another post.  Until then, let Him take great care of you by sharing His plans with you through prayer.  If this post resonates with you, share it with others.  Also, leave a comment and let me know how prayer has impacted your life. Have an incredible day!

For our King and His Kingdom,

Reginald Hinton Jr.