Hannah’s prayer
And Hannah was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish (1 Samuel 1:10).
Hannah’s distress led her, not to despair, but to action. Never allow distressing circumstances to drive you to despair, but to the Throne of Grace. If Hannah’s life teaches us anything, it is how to pray. She gives us a pattern for a powerful prayer life. James teaches us how effective, fervent prayer has profound results (James 5:16). Hannah proved this.
Hannah prayed righteously. We cannot expect God to answer our prayers if our lives are not righteous. Christians are to live lives characterised by righteousness, not self-righteousness, but orderly obedient lives directed by the word of God.
Hannah prayed effectively and fervently. She felt deeply about what she was praying for. In Luke 22:44 the Lord Jesus prays “more fervently” (NLT). I have to confess my prayers can lack this deep feeling and concern.
Hannah prayed with tears. Her emotions were affected, not in a sentimental way, but because she was praying for something she felt deeply in her heart and which meant so much to her.
Hannah prayed specifically. She did not waste words. Her distress produced a simplicity and clarity of thought in the presence of God. In her humility there was confidence. In Matthew 6:7 the Lord Jesus reminds us not to be characterised by vain repetition and many words. It was said of Samuel, Hannah’s son, that the Lord “let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19). Samuel was directed by the Lord before he spoke, and when he spoke, he spoke clearly and wisely. Today we live in the age of the throwaway line. Often words are spoken without real meaning or sincerity. We should not speak to God or to each other in that way, but with true hearts.
Hannah prayed sacrificially. Someone wisely said, “Pray as though nothing depended on you and work as though everything depended on you.” Hannah counted the cost. She knew only God could answer her prayer, but she was prepared to sacrifice what would be her greatest joy (v. 11). If we expect God to answer our prayers, we should be willing to yield all we have to Him in sacrificial service.
Hannah prayed silently. Audible prayer is not necessarily powerful prayer. God looks on our hearts. Many years later the Lord sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint a king to replace Saul. Jesse was David’s father. Jesse lined up his sons. David was absent and looking after his father’s sheep. He was not considered important enough to be present. When Samuel saw Jesse’s sons, powerful, attractive men as they all were, he thought, “Surely God would choose one of them to be king of Israel”; just as Israel had chosen Saul, a man head and shoulders above anyone else in the land. God spoke to His old servant and reminded him that God does not look on the outward appearance but upon the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). He taught him a lesson in old age which his mother had learned before Samuel was born; a lesson we easily forget. We, too, are tricked into thinking that what is seen and heard is the most important. Hannah spoke in her heart and it was from there her voice was heard. God never stops listening to our hearts.
