PRAYING LIKE HANNAH

Everytime I think about Hannah I see so much in her to emulate. Here is another perspective of her story:

Have you ever been so hurt and pained that you wondered where is God? Day and night you wish you could run away from the pain, but it constantly steers you in the face. Well Hannah was one such woman. Hannah was barren not because she could not have child, but because God had closed her womb. 1 Samuel 1:6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. I cannot in my life time imagine Hannah's heart. The God she loved had closed your womb, and to compond her problem she is ridiculed by her rival - the other woman. There must have been so much shame facing this woman of God. This is what we would refer to as "all hell broke loose".

Can you just imagine Hannah crying day and night, sometimes asking God why, what have I done to deserve this? Even the comfort of Elkanah, her husband could not help. In all of her grief and pain, Hannah was not afraid to tell God exactly what was the desire of her heart. All she wanted  was a boy child;  1 Samuel 1: 11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon 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 Hannah had explained to Eli that she was just praying to God about her situation:  he blessed her, she went away with her faith at its peak. She went away had a meal  and was no longer downcast  1 Samuel 1:17 - 18 - Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

As I am encouraged by Hannah's faith in God, and her attitude after she was blessed by the priest, may I also encourage you to lift your faith as you pray and go away rejoicing knowing it is done as you have asked.

PRAYER: Father,  I thank you that you have made prayer the life line for us, and we are assured from Hannah that there is power in our prayers. May we be confident in you as Hannah was knowing all is well, and our situations and our hurts and pains are just for tonight as there is joy in the morning. In Jesus Name. Amen