Not much is really known about this Damascus disciple named Ananias (cf. Acts 9:10-19). Paul describes him as “a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there” (Acts 22:12). In late tradition, he is placed in the list of the seventy disciples of Jesus, and represented as bishop of Damascus, and as having died a martyr’s death (ISBE). Wesley describes him as, “A truly religious person, and though a believer in Christ, yet a strict observer of the Law of Moses.” One thing is for sure, Ananias was one who communicated with God.

The need to listen in prayer is just as important as the need to speak in prayer. Think of your recent prayers and compare the amount of time speaking versus listening. There is no real formula for what is the right amount of time for each in your prayer hour—just that you need both. There will be times when you speak much more than listen; on other days He will speak to you more than the day before. The key thought is not to get so caught up in your petition that you shut your ears to hearing Him.

In speaking of this Damascus disciple and the Lord’s choice in using him, Ravenhill writes, “Was it that Ananias had stayed to listen to God and to get directions from the Lord for the day’s operations? What Saul of Tarsus do you and I miss contacting because in morning devotions we pray for help just to get through the day and fail to pray for specific guidance in testimony” (page 55).

Let today be a ‘Samuel Morning’—one that is attuned to listen for His voice (cf. 1 Samuel 3:10)—and an ‘Ananias Afternoon’ where you obey His voice and go speak to one from ‘Tarsus’ knowing that the Spirit has already prepared him to hear from you.