Hannah was "greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly" in her desire to have a child (1 Samuel 1:10). This chapter is one of the most beautiful and moving accounts in the Bible. Hannah desperately wanted a child, but was unable to conceive.
Have doors been closed to you? Do you have a problem that's bugging you? In Hannah's case, "her rival [her husband's other wife, Peninnah] would provoke her bitterly to irritate her" (1:6). Peninnah was able to bear children, and she never let Hannah forget it.
Do you have an adversary, maybe the devil himself, provoking you? I know I do. What are you doing about it? Murmuring? Mumbling? Discouraged? Defeated? About to throw in the towel? Instead, why not do what Hannah did and PRAY? The Bible says, "Hannah was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard." The priest in the temple, Eli, thought she was drunk and reprimanded her (1:13).
Have you been misunderstood too? Have you been reprimanded unfairly? Don't get bitter; get better by praying like Hannah. She said to Eli, "No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord" (1:13–15). God granted Hannah her request, and she bore a son named Samuel, meaning "asked of God," because she had asked the Lord for him. As she had promised, Hannah dedicated Samuel for a lifetime of serving God in the temple, and he became one of Israel's greatest judges.
What problem are you dealing with today? Are you experiencing disappointment and bitterness of soul? When Hannah experienced deep pain, she poured out her soul before the Lord. Have you done that lately? Hannah did not pray an easy little prayer like "Now I lay me down to sleep." She prayed with tears, humility, and faith.
O, dear people, get serious and PRAY. Pour out your soul before God. Remember that "The effective prayer of a righteous man [or woman] can accomplish much" (James 5:17).
Prayer: Father, bless those who are dealing with problems and pain today. May they pour out their souls to You like Hannah did. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Quote for the Day: "Prayer requires more of the heart than of the tongue." —Adam Clarke
