THE MOTHER WHO POURED HER PROBLEMS TO GOD IN PRAYER.

Intro.

Mother to son: I’m warning you. If you fall out of that tree and break both your legs, don’t come running to me!

1 Samuel 1 ESV

There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.” The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

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Chris: Why is a computer so smart? Mom: It listens to its motherboard.

Intro.

Today, we honor mothers.

Thank mothers for all their love, commitment, sacrifice.

Salute especially single mothers.

Mothers are all about their children. They make huge sacrifices for their children.

The love and nurture reflects the love and nurture of our Heavenly Father.

Today, I want us to turn our attention to one of the most exemplary mothers in the Scripture - Hannah.

SHE IS THE MOTHER WHO POURED HER PROBLEMS IN PRAYER.

I love the story of Hannah. It is a powerful story of

hope from brokenness

victory from oppression.

fullness from emptiness

Mothers-pray yourself through to victory.

1. Hannah’s Problem.

1 Samuel 1:1–4 ESV

1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters.

1 Samuel 1:1–8 ESV

1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

1 sam. 1: 1-

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It took more than Hannah to bring a Samuel into the world. It also took Elkanah.

He was a man who honored God. He went to worship and sacrifice; he paid his vows to God. [21]

Many times the spiritual upbringing of our children are left to mothers but they cannot do it alone.

a. Elkanah – worship and sacrifice, going to church.

We need fathers to support the mothers. Do your part. Lead the family.

I talk to many women who are exhausted physically, emotionally, spiritually because there is so much on their plates.

He loved her.

SLIDE

1 Samuel 1:5 ESV

5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb.

1 Samuel 1:4 ESV

4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters.

Hannah had a deficiency, something to be ashamed of in that era but he loved her.

Sometimes other people may not know why you love that woman, your wife, but you just see something beautiful.

SLIDE

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. Rev. Theodore Hesburgh

Sometimes other people may not know why you love that woman, your wife, but you just see something beautiful.

1. She was barren

3. She was barren

2. v5. he loved her though the Lord had closed her womb.

b. Barren

Almost a curse at that time. No infertility clinics then, no in-vitro; instead of that, there was “in prayer.”

This was her root problem but it led to some sad consequences.

2. She was provoked.

SLIDE

1 Samuel 1:6–7 ESV

6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.

1 Samuel 1:6 ESV

6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb.

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rival, provoke grievously, irritate, [tormented] went on year after year [v7.]

-Provoked – instead of love and compassion. What’s wrong with our world today?

We only realize what harm and hurt is being done when we are the target, but when we are dishing it out, we don’t care.

-I’d say she was bullied! At home and in church.

Peninah provoked her in her way to church. Can we get hurt in the house of God? Certainly.

-Brought on emotional distress, even depression.

At least her husband tried to bring comfort to her.

1 Samuel 1:8 ESV

8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

Brought on emotional distress, even depression

If only spouses supported each other more, stand by each other, rather than try to tear each other apart.

- Hannah did not blame God although she probably He closed her womb.

2. Hannah’s Prayer.

What can this desperate woman do? She is being targeted, bullied, oppressed, laughed at, humiliated, feeling less as a woman.

She turned to prayer.

1 Samuel 1:9–10 ESV

9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.

: 9-

In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed.

In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed. What do you do when you are in anguish of soul?

2. The prayer. In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed. What do you do when you are in anguish of soul?

What do you do when you are in the dark night of the soul?

Life is not always going to be sunny and bright.

Be prepared. Have an anchor for your soul for those times. During the smooth sailing times, put down some roots, get to know God so you are strong to face the storms.

Nonsense?

Matthew 7:24–27 ESV

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

: 24-

She made a specific request.

What did she pray?

1 Samuel 1:11 ESV

11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

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Lord, remember me.

a. Lord, remember me.

Give me a son - very specific.

I will give him back to you. Nazirite vow.

She continued in prayer.

: 12

b. Prayed

1 Samuel 1:12 ESV

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.

c. Continued to pray – not giving up.

Continued to pray – not giving up.

She prayed with passion.

1 Samuel 1:13–16 ESV

13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.”

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Definition of prayer? Hannah’s is the best.

-pouring out her soul to God.

-speaking in her heart

- Prayed with tears

She prayed in faith.

: 17-18

1 Samuel 1:17–18 ESV

17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

She believed the word the man of God spoke to her. She was no longer sad.

Everything was now in the hands of God. And God came through!

1 Samuel 1:19–20 ESV

19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”

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She received her miracle.

We serve a God who hears and answers prayers.

Mark 11:24 KJV 1900

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

;24

Hebrews 13:8 ESV

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

But the story does not end there.

Many times we ask God to keep His promise and He does, but what about our promises to God?

3. Hannah’s Promise.

e. Faith v18

1 Samuel 1:21–22 ESV

21 The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.”

1 Samuel 1:24–28 ESV

24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

1 sam 1: 24-

3. The promise.

a. For this child I prayed. 1.27

It was a few years so Eli maybe does not recognize Hannah so she reminds him.

I am the woman who was standing here, praying; For this child I prayed.

She kept her promise.

How many unbroken promises we have to God?

Ecclesiastes 5:4 ESV

4 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.

Deuteronomy 23:21 ESV

21 “If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.

When you make a vow to God, keep it.

Conc.

I believe God closed up Hannah’s womb – to get her attention. She was ready to give up something to God.

God closed up Hannah’s womb – to get her attention. She was ready to give up something to God. God put her in a place where she did not have so she can give.

She prayed Samuel into existence. He became one of the greatest leaders in Israel. A great man of God.

She sung a song of praise:

English Standard Version Chapter 2

And Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart exults in the LORD;

my horn is exalted in the LORD.

My mouth derides my enemies,

because I rejoice in your salvation.

2  “There is none holy like the LORD:

for there is none besides you;

there is no rock like our God.

3  Talk no more so very proudly,

let not arrogance come from your mouth;

for the LORD is a God of knowledge,

and by him actions are weighed.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

The LORD makes poor and makes rich;

he brings low and he exalts.

8  He raises up the poor from the dust;

he lifts the needy from the ash heap

God Almighty turned Hannah’s mourning into dancing.

He changed her circumstances.

From barrenness, emptiness, provocation, weeping, distress to songs of joy.

She went on to have three more sons and two daughters.

Mothers - you are burdened with much in life. It is hard. For many of you, life is a constant struggle.

I want you to know God sees you. He knows her struggle, heartache and pain.

Those who have lost a child, the pain is still there.

God says, “Come to me. Like Hannah did. Pour out your soul to God for you are loved also.”

PRAY FOR MOMS.