Day 7: Cultivating a Listening Heart

Let’s take a moment today to be with God. If you want to do this as a family, we encourage you to set aside time after your own quiet time to go through the family content at the bottom together.

PAUSE

“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’”—1 Samuel 3:10 (NIV)

Have you ever heard someone speaking, but you weren’t really listening? Maybe you were distracted, lost in thought, or waiting for your turn to talk. There’s a big difference between hearing and listening.

More often than not, we hear God rather than listen. Whether it’s because we’re multitasking or our minds are elsewhere, we struggle to give Him our full attention. But listening requires silence—it takes intentional effort to pause, be still, and truly receive what He’s saying.

Prayer isn’t just about talking to God; it’s also about listening. If all we do is speak, our relationship with Him becomes one sided. Growth happens when we make space to hear His voice. Silence before the Lord allows Him to reveal truth, guide us, and shape us.

PONDER

What does it look like to truly listen to God? It means stepping away from distractions, creating space for solitude, and sitting in silence after reading His Word. It’s about asking, “Lord, speak,” and waiting expectantly for His voice.

PRAY

Father, help me to listen as Samuel did, with an open and willing heart. Holy Spirit, lead me into moments of stillness where I can hear and respond to Your voice. Teach me to embrace silence so I may grow in my relationship with You. Amen.

For Your Family

PAUSE

Read 1 Samuel 3:10 out loud with your kids. Whether you go on a walk, talk in the car, discuss at dinner, or gather before bed, choose a time in your day to discuss and pray together.

PONDER

Share the main idea with them.

• When God speaks, we should listen.

Ask them:

• What do you think God is telling you right now?

PRAY

Guide your children to pray using these prayer points.

• Thank God for speaking to us.
• Ask God to show you who to encourage today.
• Pray that more people will hear His voice and read His Word.

Pray this over your children:

Father, help my children (name them) to listen as Samuel did, with an open heart. Holy Spirit, help us hear You everyday. May my children take every chance they get to love other people because they know how much You love them. Amen.