I Samuel 1:9-11So Hannah ate. Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary. The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to God’s Temple in the customary seat. Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow:
Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain, If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me By giving me a son, I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.
About Hannah
Hannah had a desire. It was a desire that would help her secure her place in her world. She would be able to love and would gain respect. She was desperate for her desire. So she prayed.
She prayed differently than we do these days. She prayed with her whole heart. She wasn’t trying to figure out how to fulfill this desire by herself, find a different desire, or distract herself with other things. She wasn’t trying to ignore how she felt by trying to control her own life or the people around her. She prayed. She cried. She was single-minded. She was inconsolable.
She was privately seeking God in his temple, which was where his presence was at that time. She went into the temple during off-hours. Eli found her there because he was the one on duty.
Hear me as I pray
Lord, forgive me of my sins. Forgive me for not trusting in you and your ways. Forgive me for seeking other avenues to ease my pain. Forgive me for trying to control other people and events in my life. Forgive me for not waiting for your answers to my prayers and for giving up way too early. Lord, show me your love and your joy. Show me your peace and your patience.
Fill me with your gentleness and your wisdom. Help me to trust in you every day for every need. Help me to take your hand and step out in what you have for me. Show me today how I should live.
