1 Samuel 1:12-18
1 Samuel 1:12-18
As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
PRAYER DIRECTION
Hannah was deeply grieved that she was not able to have children, and she took her grief directly to God. She poured out all of her heart to Him in prayer. Take note of verse 18, which says that after Eli’s prayer and encouragement, “her face was no longer downcast.” She was not yet pregnant, and she did not yet have a baby in her arms. Yet her sadness was lifted after spending time seeking God. Prayer was and still is a powerful way to express our heartache and receive encouragement and peace from the Lord. What is heavy in your heart today? Have you surrendered it to the Lord in prayer?
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for caring about every detail of our lives. Thank You for teaching us that Your yoke is easy and Your burden light. These things are heavy on my heart today (openly express your specific needs and feelings to God). I know that I do not have the strength to carry these difficulties on my own, but nothing is too hard for You. So, I lay them at Your feet. I surrender all of this to You and ask You to do what only You can. Thank You that just as You worked a miracle for Hannah, You are still able and willing to work a miracle for me. I put my faith in You alone, and I receive Your peace today.
