1st Samuel 1:13. “Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.” SPAKE IN HER HEART. Many things are left unheard, but they are not left unsaid – In the depths of real concern of soul there are no easy words That flows to make a prayer that’s heard say really what I meant – When prayer comes from deep inside the heart, it is only for the Lord.
Real concern is not half-hearted with phrases that are known. The situation calls for much more than doing what is usual – With words to God of real commitment there is no outward form That public-type of praying, to a burdened heart is not useful.
When Hannah prayed her silent prayer, her heart was burdened down. She wanted a son it’s true, but also her nation was in trouble. She was asking God to send a man who would the nation turn around – Her real communion with the Lord was that His answer would be double.
She had a lot of love to give, and wanted to bestow it upon a son – She also had insight and promised to consecrate him to the Lord. There was no holding back, she wasn’t going to keep him for her own There was a lot at stake here, and she wouldn’t keep him even if she could.
In fervent prayer there is a difference when we pour out to God alone The burdens that we have, rather than having a simple time of prayer. Both are important times it true, but one we must go though on our own Others may not feel the same urgency about the burden that we bear.
“Heart-felt prayers, Father, are probably not coming to You very often. I am afraid I think I can handle a lot of things on my own. I know I am not able to meet the of this assembly we are visiting now and to me there is an urgent need for something to be done either by them or for them. If there is something I should say tonight, that I have not planned on, I am ready if You will give me the right words. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
When Eli realized the reality of Hannah's prayer when he heard her humble explanation, he then was able to understand need of giving her comfort and the value of his blessing to her. The grace and humility of one who gratefully accepts the blessings of God's grace, brings peace after sorrow and an urgent prayer becomes a calm assurance that God is in control and doing what will be right in His eyes. Hannah accepted the promise of grace given before the answer even came. She could eat her portion of the peace offering now because she had the joy of fellowship with God which was an intent of the peace-offering. She had joy on her face which would be an attraction to all the other members of her family. She had a "new day" dawn in which she shared in worship with others from her full cup. The return journey was not with the heavy heart with which she left home. With joy in her steps the family returned to Ramah to a home that was not filled with tension but with promised blessing.
Doubtless the change in Hannah because of simple faith in the word of God through the priest would have made a change in Elkanah, in their worship, in their home, in their lives from then on. In the lives of God's people there is a fellowship that is contagious and that fellowship has far-reaching effects. Hearts rejoice and spirits are lifted when we are conscious of God working in us, for us and among us. Hannah's heart rejoiced when she bore a son, Samuel whose name means, "heard of God."
To keep her promise, Hannah gave Samuel to the Lord when he was around three years old. He was presented to God on the day the people of God brought costly sacrifices. Sacrificial gifts are not mere tokens, but that which costs us dearly. When we are willing to "present our bodies as a living sacrifice," that is the best we have to give. However, Hannah went a step further when she presented her son to Eli for service as a Nazarite for life. even though she said she "lent him to the Lord," she retained no further claim on him. Hannah did come each year with a new garment to fit the growing boy, but her sacrifice had been made with no strings attached. Any costly sacrifice we make for the Lord has far greater benefit then we could ever imagine because the Lord knows our hearts.