1st Samuel 1:9-28 WHEN ONE PRAYS In God’s sovereign plan for Israel's recovery, He began with a heart-broken 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. In spite of 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 we accept that criticism and respond to it. Rather than dwelling on the problems we have think about the relationship 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 in her prayer, brought the whole problem to God in prayer. 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." In spite of discouragement, keep on praying. Prayer opens the door for us to see how God works. God may choose to answer our prayers with a much longer purpose in His mind then was in ours. Spiritual blessings do not come by natural ability, learning or human refinement. Sorrow and suffering kept us sensitive to God and His will and plans for us. Pride and even arrogance often characterize natural accomplishments. Humility and gratitude accompany the blessings grace gives and continues to give.
Two of the people in the house of the Lord must have been notable by the contrast between them. One was an old, fat priest who was 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, she was forming the words with her lips. Her prayer was not only thoughts moving rapidly through her mind but 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 being able to discern the earnestness of a woman's prayer. let alone the mind of God. Hannah was in her prayer was 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."
It is one thing for us to know what are the problems that face God's people. It is quite another thing to know what is needed to deal with that problem. When a spiritual woman like Hannah understands a need, and she 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. 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. 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 at all 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.
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 and 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 honestly help us 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.