“AND HANNAH PRAYED”

Post date: Sep 3, 2013 4:00:56 AM

There are many human impossibilities and limitations despite the vase increase in knowledge in all fields of learning, despite having special abilities, and wealth. There are certain things God had deliberately permitted human beings to do, and they are many that are exclusively for Him to do. Like some of us, what happen to Hannah falls within that exclusive range that only God can do, though your situation may not be the same as hers, it surely needs God hands. Evil situations cannot continue where consistent prayer upheld, and without consistent prayers, the best effort of all your goodness and godliness will be questioned and attacked by the devil. Prayer ignites the fire of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the people who pray, and keep them active, productive and relevant to themselves, to God, and to the community they lived in. 

What a joy is it to know that God answers prayers? What a joy is it to know that things will actually change when we pray, that all dilapidating adverse situations can change and can be permanently reversed for good when one is committed to praying. What a joy to read and to hear of the testimonies of others? The greater joy is to also tell of your own testimony, and by God’s grace, your time is here to experience the God you serve in a special way and also tell others of His goodness in your life and in everything that concerns you.

Hannah was a woman who suffered contrary situation in her life for years. She did not allow her situation to take her away from trusting in God, believing and committing herself to prayers, and knowing and respecting the house of God. Once in the house of God and in the presence of God, Hannah did not pray her anger but her expectation. Please never pray your anger, you will spoil a lot of things; learn to always pray your expectation. God wants to hear your expectations not your frustrations and complains. He wants to see your heart now and in the future. He wants to know what you are doing and what you will do hereafter. He wants to give you a solution and take your burden away. And Hannah prayed:

“So it was year after year; whenever Hannah went up to the Lord’s house, Peninnah provoked her, so she wept and did not eat. Then Elkanah her husband said to her, Hannah, why do you cry? And why do you not eat? And why are you grieving? Am I not more to you than ten sons? So Hannah rose after they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat beside a post of the temple tent of the Lord. And Hannah was in distress of soul, praying to the Lord and weeping bitterly. She vowed, saying, O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your handmaid and earnestly remember, and not forget Your handmaid but will give me a son, I will give him to the Lord all his life; no razor shall touch his head. And as she continued praying before the Lord, Eli noticed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. Eli said to her, how long will you be intoxicated? Put wine away from you. But Hannah answered, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I was pouring out my soul before the Lord. Regard not your handmaid as a wicked woman; for out of my great complaint and bitter provocation I have been speaking. Then Eli said, Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him. Hannah said, let your handmaid find grace in your sight. So she went her way and ate, her countenance no longer sad. The family rose early the next morning, worshiped before the Lord, and returned to their home in Ramah. Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.” 1 Samuel 1:7-19

Hannah needed just one thing and completely focused on that, she did not ask that Peninnah be punished. She left the place of her prayer with satisfied and joy though her request was not yet manifested. She left with assurance, with faith, with a completely changed countenance, with personal acceptance of the promise of God, and she conceived thereafter. For Prayer Click here