By Pastora Monique Lopez-Ong
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In the book of 1 Samuel, it tells us the story of Hannah, the barren wife of Elkanah. Now, Elkanah has two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Through the years, Hannah had been trying to conceive a child with Elkanah but all attempts have failed. And each year, Peninah mocks her for not conceiving a child. This brings her great disappointment in herself and depression. One day, she went to the Lord’s house where she began to pray and call unto the Lord. There, Eli, the priest noticed her and thought she was drunk for she prayed with all her heart, while her lips are moving but her voice isn’t heard. Hannah prayed for a son and made a vow that she will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life and no razor will ever be used on his head. Eli blessed her and told her that may the Lord grant her the desires of her heart. And so, Hannah got pregnant and gave birth to a son, she named him Samuel and dedicated him to the Lord.
What we can see in Hannah’s situation.
• Sorrow
• Supplication
• Solution (Answer)
• Sacrifice
Hannah had been into a great sorrow but despite from her agony she turned to the Lord, wept and prayed unto Him. In bitterness she prayed, in her pain, she worshiped the King of Kings. God answered her prayer for she doesn’t only ask for what she wanted but she asked humbly for it, still honoring God almighty before asking what she desires. With God answering her prayer, she didn’t forget her vow to set her son apart for God.
Like Hannah, we all have our own versions of sorrow. We are not exempted from feeling pain, and sadness. But just like Hannah, we have our choice to turn unto God every time we feel that way. It’s good to cry, mourn, and grieve because of how bad your situation is but what I can assure you is there’s Jesus that can hear your weeping. I encourage you today to call unto Him. We have this easy access to Him called prayer. Pray like how Hannah prayed.
Pray unceasingly, truly I tell you, when you pray, pray unceasingly for it is Jesus’ will for us—to rejoice and pray without ceasing. (Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) In praying for your heart’s desire, pray for it continually and show unto God how much you need it in your life. And when He answers, accept His answer no matter what for His plans is better than ours.
Pray desperately, and by desperately it means with all your heart, mind, and soul. Humble yourself and pray like how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. (read Mark 14:32-36) He’s heavily troubled and deeply distressed that he began to sweat blood, but what He did, He turned to His father and prayed desperately to take over of His situation. Hannah, prayed desperately to the Lord— in her pain she prayed for the will of the Lord to be upon her.
Pray truthfully. Sometimes our prayer becomes bargaining to the Lord. “If you give me this, I promise to serve for the rest of my life Lord!” God’s not playing games with us. When we pray, let’s pray truthfully. When we promise, we commit. Now, in our prayers let’s include only those we can commit and truly want to offer to the Lord. The Bible says, we shall not swear falsely but shall perform our oaths to the Lord.
Here are some guide questions to ask yourself about your prayer:
• Is this God’s will for me?
• Is it biblical? Or in this nature?
• Does it honor God?
• Does this benefit others?
• How is my heart on this?