The Prayer

28. April 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 
Let’s continue our Story. Our text for today is:
I Samuel 1:9 “So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.”  (KJV)

Today’s lesson will focus on the prayer that Hannah prayed to God.  The text teaches us that Hannah was in “bitterness of soul.”    The word bitterness means “heavy”, “discontented,” or in “pain.” Hannah prayed out of her heaviness, her pain, discontent and tears. 

Often times, these prayers can be the most powerful.  At this point, you usually just don’t care about anything but hearing from God and you’ll do anything to get to that place where you feel God has heard your prayer.   
  
Hannah’s prayer consisted of a vow.  Often times when we’re in trouble we make vows to the Lord.  Have you ever said; “God, if you just get me out of this situation, or help me with this, then I will do……”  I don’t know about you, but I have often prayed those types of prayers in times of distress and utter desperation.  I told you that Hannah’s story is mine in so many ways.   

Hannah then asked God to “remember me.”  These are such familiar words.  God, remember me.   “Look on the affliction of thine handmaid.”  The word affliction means “poverty or misery.”  Look at what I’m lacking; what makes me sad, what makes me unfilled.  Can you help with that God?  Please remember me.  WOW!!!!!!!!!!  Did you just feel that? 

Let’s return back to the vow.  The vow was that if God would bless her with a man child then she would give him back to the Lord.   Hannah wants a male child so bad but yet she’s willing to turn him over to the Lord which means that she will give him over to the priests to be raised in the “house of God” for the service of God.  
 
You have to wonder what Hannah’s motivation is.  Does she want the child just so that the community will declare her no longer barren and remove the reproach that is associated with barrenness.   If her heart aches for the comfort and love and blessing in raising a child then why is she so willing to give him up when he is born.    You know, things that make you go Uhmmmm!!!!!!!! 

After Hannah’s prays something interesting happens.  Tune in tomorrow.

God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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