HANNAH’S PRAYER

Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard… 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.” —I Samuel 1:13, 20

             There is no specific way to pray… to talk to God.  You can do so while sitting, kneeling, walking, hands lifted up, hands by your side, laying prostrate face down, with a loud voice, with a soft voice, while laying on your bed, driving your vehicle, riding a bike, while swimming or as Hannan did, “in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard.”  It is not important what posture or voice you use or what you are doing at the time.  What is important is that you take the time to pray— to talk with God.  Then, as Hannah did, acknowledge and give thanks to God when He answers.

“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high.  My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.  “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.  “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.  “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.  Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more.  She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.  “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.  The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.  He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.  “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world.  He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.  “It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken.  The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.  “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” —I Samuel 2:1-10

             In her prayer, Hannah—

• Rejoices in the Lord
• Acknowledges He has lifted her up
• Will boast over her enemies
• Delights in His deliverance
• Acknowledges there is no one holy like the Lord
• Acknowledges there is no one besides Him
• Acknowledges there is no Rock like our God
• Tells others not to keep speaking so proudly
• Tells others not to speak arrogance
• Says that our Lord knows
• Says that our Lord weighs deeds
• Acknowledges that the bows of warriors are broken
• Says those who stumbled are armed with strength
• Says full hire themselves out for food
• Says those who were hungry are hungry no more
• Says the one who was barren has borne seven children
• Says the one who has had many sons pines away
• Acknowledges it is the Lord who brings death
• Acknowledges it is the Lord that makes alive
• Acknowledges He brings people down to the grave
• Acknowledges He raises people up
• Acknowledges He sends poverty
• Acknowledges He sends wealth
• Acknowledges He humbles
• Acknowledges He exalts
• Acknowledges He raises the poor from the dust
• Acknowledges He lifts the needy from the ash heap
• Acknowledges He seats people with princes
• Acknowledges He has people inherit a throne of honor
• Acknowledges the foundation of the earth are the Lord’s
• Acknowledges he will guard the feet of His faithful servants
• Acknowledges He will silence the wicked in the place of darkness
• Says it is not by strength that one prevails
• Says those who oppose the Lord will be broken
• Says the Most High will thunder from heaven
• Says the Lord will judge the ends of the earth
• Says He will give strength to the king
• Says He will exalt the horn of His anointed

Wow!  Look how much Hannah speaks to our Lord about in response to her answered prayer.  Her initial prayer for a son was a heart filled prayer and not very long.  Her prayer in response to answered prayer was filled with great understanding of our Lord.  Oh, that you and I would pray with such a heart filled response to our answered prayer.  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  So may it be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsQmsEE_2-s&list=RDPsQmsEE_2-s&start_radio=1

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. —Luke 18:1