The story of Hannah is one that comes to mind and reminds me of the importance of prayer. 1 Samuel 1: 1 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphitefrom the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. 3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
Hannah was surrounded by an adversary, Peninnah, who was her husband’s first wife. Hannah was sorrowful in her soul because she had not received what she desired and was believing God for, a son. Hannah was ridiculed by Peninnah but kept on praying. Hannah did not allow herself to be distracted by Peninnah. Hannah’s name means ‘grace’ and she needed it, living with her husband, Peninnah’s provocations and the children of Peninnah.
The interesting thing was it was God who had closed her womb (verse 5). Sometimes, when we are going through a hard time, we think it is the enemy, when it could be God, who wants to teach us a lesson. What is most important is not to give up but to keep on praying to God, to turn things around for our good. In Matthew 7: 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! This is our divine assurance from God who honours His Word.
I believe God closed her womb to test Hannah’s faith. God caused Hannah to pray in the way she did in order that she might be an example for us when believing God for something. Perseverance is important in the area of prayer. It is vital to not give up, even when we think God is up to nothing, keep praying.
From verse 9, Hannah’s prayer was specific. 9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” After her prayer to God, Hannah did not stop, she kept praying.
Hannah was prepared to give back to God the son, she so desired from God. She was willing to give this gift back to the Lord. We should look for ways to give back to God those blessings that we are believing Him for, to remember that it is by grace that we are where we are today. Also, to not forget that the blessings of yester years were also from Him.
Hannah had believed and prayed in faith. James 1: 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Pray for the Lord’s glory and interests. As you also put your request before God, your prayers will yield results, like it did for Hannah. Prayer and faith work.
We know that at the end, God remembered Hannah; 1 Samuel 1:19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”
No matter what you might be going through today, remember Hannah and don’t give up in the area of prayer. If you feel led to make a vow like Hannah did, do so because we serve a faithful God, who hears our prayers. Hannah was not negotiating with God but was expressing her devotion to Him. Luke 11: 9 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. We are reminded to persist and not give up, when asking God for something. God never gets tired when we pray to Him, even if it is regarding the same issue.
At the end, Hannah was rewarded beyond her wildest dreams. We are told in Samuel 2: 21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. We serve a God who in Ephesians 3, tells us of the greatness of God’s power and how magnificent He is. Verse 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Some people call him Jehovah over-do; meaning the God who will go over and beyond for you (the God who over does it). Never underestimate the power of prayer. If you trust God, trials will work in your favour and not against you.
Prayer points:
Lord strengthen my faith in Jesus name.
Lord increase my ability to pray in the name of Jesus.
Lord I am believing you for … in Jesus name.
Lord help me to hold on to you in Jesus name.
My books:
Prayer Personified and Godly Declarations are available for purchase on www.amazon.com and on my website: www.tola.dehinde.com
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