When One Prays. 1 Samuel 1:9-11 In God’s sovereign plan for Israel's recovery, He began with a heartbroken woman living in a dysfunctional household. It was in His mind to postpone her child-bearing until the right time that she would see the need of a person to deliver the nation from the evil that had overtaken it for over two hundred years. Despite the ridicule from another wife and her own unhappiness, she was to remain steadfast and confident in God.
We choose how we react to hurtful words others may direct toward us. We cannot keep others from unjust criticism, but we can choose how to accept and respond to that criticism. Rather than dwelling on the problems we have, think about the relationships we have and enjoy them. Hope and friendship are far better responses than self-pity.
Hannah shared a husband with a woman who ridiculed her. Her husband could not solve her problem. Instead of giving up hope, she prayed and brought the whole problem to God in prayer. When a spiritual woman like Hannah understands a need and knows the word of God and how it applies to a matter, that has a sanctifying effect upon her so that when prayer is made, it is with the assurance that God hears.
Prayers of urgency and desperation create a different outlook and effect on the one who prays. Our burden is cast on the Lord in times of darkness and weeping, but "joy comes in the morning." Despite discouragement, keep on praying. Prayer opens the door for us to see how God works. God may answer our prayers with a much longer purpose in His mind than in ours. Spiritual blessings do not come by natural ability, learning, or human refinement. Sorrow and suffering keep us sensitive to God and His will and plans. Pride and even arrogance often characterize natural accomplishments. Humility and gratitude accompany the blessings grace gives and continues to give.
Eli was in the position of the priesthood, but Hannah was the one who was at the real altar of God when she prayed with earnest supplication for a son and with honest intercession for the sinful nation. Her promise to God was to consecrate her son to the service of God to the extent of being a Nazirite for life. She vowed for her son to be what God had required of Samson, who did not keep the terms of the Nazirite. What could she do to make Samuel obey the covenant of the Nazirites for life?
Samuel would have learned from Hannah during the first three years of his life the effectiveness of prayer and how essential it is to communicate with God personally. He was the one who ultimately had to accept the terms of the Nazirite covenant and keep the promise his mother had made. Those three silent years set the whole course of his life. Hannah may have remembered that God had begun to deliver Israel through the promise of a son to a barren woman, the wife of Manoah, and what He had done once He could do again. This time, she must have done all in her power to ensure Samuel knew and fulfilled the terms of the covenant.
What God did for His people in the past, He can do for His people today when we make our petitions according to His will. Carelessness and indifference are common today; consequently, there is a lack of spiritual power. When there are those who, in the privacy of their own home and hearts, are earnest seekers and intercessors for divine intervention in the work of an assembly, the Gospel, and the nation, it may be that God will raise up young men and women who will lead His people in ways pleasing to Him.
There are many ways parents can teach their children and encourage them to act in the best interests of the kingdom of God. The best and often most effective way of teaching is by example. When a young person hears the earnest prayers of his or her mother and father, they will not soon forget them. Parents who are committed to serving the Lord themselves leave an indelible example that cannot be ignored. The significance and impact of those who lay hold on God is an essential need in this day and age.
The two people in the house of the Lord that day must have been notable by the contrast between them. One was an old, fat priest sitting by a side post watching people instead of being at the altar in service for the Lord. Not far away was a young woman down praying before the Lord with her soul so burdened that she was forming the words with her lips. Her prayer was thoughts moving rapidly through her mind and earnest supplication from the depths of her heart.
Eli was sitting in official dignity and place; Hannah was at the true altar and the throne of grace. The old priest was going through the forms of religious activity without even discerning the earnestness of a woman's prayer, let alone the mind of God. Hannah was, in her prayer, calling into action the eye of God - "look on the affliction of Thine handmaid;" the heart of God - "remember me;" and the hand of God - "give me a man-child."
We learn fundamental principles of prayer and effective communication with God by following the example of Hannah. Her prayer was of real concern. She knew what was needed, a man to deliver God's people, and there was no half-hearted prayer as she poured out her heart in fervent expectation to the Lord. Her prayer was not a brief formal expression of the issues involved but was a prayer of real commitment. There was real communion with God that gave no room for just mere outward forms. The matter was so important to Hannah that she held nothing back from her real consecration to the Lord and His will. This kind of praying means there is no question about an answer coming. She had placed real confidence in God.
Knowing what problems God's people face is one thing for us. Knowing what is needed to deal with that problem is quite another thing. To know the mind and heart of God does not come by accident but by fellowship with God through a knowledge of His word and faith in Him. When one makes promises to God, one must keep the promise. God always keeps His promises, and that assurance in prayer lifts the spirit, changes our attitude, and gives us peace.
When we pray, we must be honest before God, accept the real encouragement of others, leave the problem with God, and move forward in faith. The right attitude in prayer takes care of discouragement, and then we are inclined to accept the support of those who want to help us honestly and share in the fellowship needed to bring about a new day in the work of God. Eli had judged Hannah by suspicion and sharply criticized her by accusing her of being drunk even though he did not judge his own evil sons. He knew more about being drunk than being holy, even though he was in the position of a priest.