HANNAH’S FIRST PRAYER

Post date: Nov 11, 2019 2:09:29 PM

Hannah’s first recorded open prayer was that of a request to God in Shiloh based on a pressing personal and family need, based on the prevailing and bitter situation, and based on repeated insults, humiliation, and physical shame. There is no record in the bible of Hannah praying before her marriage, but after her marriage. In Hannah’s first open prayer, she sorts the face, the help of God, and the power of God in her life and in her marriage situation. In it, she believed God can do all things and she expressed her dependence and faith in God’s ability and showed her willingness, support, and commitment to the continuous work of the Lord through her vow. Hannah’s first open prayer was a call to action to God, it was not a prayer of praise, it was not a prayer for comfort, it was not a prayer against enemies or those insulting her, it was not a prayer of reveal secrets or a prayer to destroy anything, it was a prayer for God’s urgent intervention, a prayer to put an end to her physical pains, to end her physical humiliations, to end her physical shame, and a prayer to restore her physical pride as a woman and restore her voice in her marriage, in her home, and in her family.

It should be noted that Hannah’s first prayer was from the depth of her heart, from the depth of her physical feelings, and from the depth of her pressing need in life and relationship. It was a prayer to lift her up from all the depression caused by her childless situation and insults, it was a prayer from her heart to the Almighty God based on her believe that there is nothing God cannot do, based on her believe that God can open her womb and ways and grant her request, and it was based on her faith in the living God. Hannah did not allow her faith in God to be diminished by her situation, she did not hand her situation over to her husband to handle, she did not even allow herself to depend or request her husband joins her in the prayer. She took it all to God, truly and openly expressed her feelings, her need and her commitment to God.

Hannah had a reason to approach God and she stayed on that reason until it was granted. What is it that you have been praying about? What is that you are praying about? What are the reasons for your prayer? Hannah knew God will not fail and trusted Him absolutely, and God did not fail her. “When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, because he loved Hannah, but the Lord had given her no children. Hannah’s rival provoked her bitterly to irritate and embarrass her because the Lord had left her childless. So it happened year after year, whenever she went up to the house of the Lord, Peninnah provoked her, so she wept and would not eat. Then her husband said to her, Hannah, why do you cry and why do you not eat? Why are you so sad and discontent? Am I not better to you than ten sons? So Hannah got up after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. Hannah was greatly distressed and she prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. She made a vow, saying, O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the suffering of Your maidservant and remember and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life; a razor shall never touch his head. Now it happened as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli was watching her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving and her voice was not heard, so Eli thought she was drunk. Eli said to her, how long will you make yourself drunk? Get rid of your wine. But Hannah answered, no my lord, I am a woman with a despairing spirit. I have not been drinking wine or any intoxicating drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your maidservant as a wicked and worthless woman for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and bitter provocation. Then Eli answered and said, go in peace and may the God of Israel grant your petition that asked of Him. Hannah said, let your maidservant find grace and favor in your sight. So the woman went on her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” 1 Samuel 1:4-18. For prayers, Click here