Hannah a Woman of Prayer (2)

God answers prayer

Mothers, your prayers are important and God is listening.

In 1 Samuel we see the record of Elkanah and his wives, one named Peninnah and the other Hannah.

Peninnah had children with Elkanah but not Hannah.

Now we know that Elkanah loved Hannah in verse four of chapter one Elkanah would give her a double portion of the sacrifice.

The scripture tells us that He loved her even though the Lord had closed her womb, this went on year after year.

Hannah was a patient person because the scriptures also tell us that Peninnah would tease Hanna about the fact that she could not have kids.

Hannah was so upset and frustrated that she wept and would not eat.

lets pick up on the record at

1 Samuel 1:7–9 ESV

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.

Now in those days God was not speaking very much and Hannah knew that.

1 Samuel 3:1 ESV

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

At this time God had removed his words from the people.

Even though Hannah knew that God was not speaking, she still turned to Him for hope.

Look at verse 10

1 Samuel 1:10–11 ESV

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.”

Hannah pleaded to the Lord in a day of silence.

Do you ever feel that god is silent in your life?

God is listening.

You see God knows your heart and He is waiting for you to call out to Him in your distress

God is listening, right now.

You see God had been waiting on the right time ion the life of Hannah to do something great.

· What was needed was a great man, and God needed a great woman to deliver him to the world, lead and shape him into a great man.

This great man was Samuel and Hannah was the right mother to deliver him into the world.

Hannah was speaking out to the Lord in such a way that Eli thought she was drunk...

1 Samuel 1:15 ESV

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.

She was pouring out her heart to the Lord and the Lord remembered her.

1 Samuel 1:19–20 ESV

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.”

MOTHERS, MAKE PRAYER A PART OF YOUR LIFE

HERE ARE SEVEN ASPECTS OF PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY

Prayerfulness is a way of life

In Luke 2 there was a prophetess named Anna, she was 84 years old, she had been through so much in her life and through it all she never stopped praying...

Luke 2:37 ESV

and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

See also Ps 5:3; Ps 55:17; Ps 109:4; Da 6:10–11; Da 6:13

Playfulness arises from a desire to be with God

Psalm 130:5–6 ESV

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

See also Ps 42:1–4; Ps 84:1–2

Prayerfulness arises from an awareness of need that can only be met by God

1 Timothy 5:5 ESV

She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,

See also Ps 86:1; Ps 105:4

Prayerfulness demonstrates a continuing trust in God

John 15:5–8 ESV

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

See also Ps 63:1–8

Prayerfulness involves a heart that is right with God

Isaiah 1:15–17 ESV

When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

See also Mt 6:7; Mk 12:40

Prayerfulness involves the need to be alert

Matthew 26:41 ESV

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

See also Mic 7:7; Lk 21:36; Col 4:2

Prayerfulness needs to be maintained especially in difficult circumstances

Luke 18:1 ESV

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

See also Hab 3:16–19; Ac 16:25; 1 Th 5:17; 1 Pe 4:7

Examples of people whose prayerfulness proved effective

Hannah, who prayed for a child

1 Samuel 1:20 ESV

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.”

See also Is 1:10–18

Elijah, an ordinary man who prayed

James 5:17–18 ESV

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

See also 1 Ki 17:1; 1 Ki 18:41–46

Nehemiah, a man who discovered God’s plan through prayer

Nehemiah 1:4 ESV

As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

See also Ne 1:5–11; Ne 2:4–5

David, sustained through trials

1 Samuel 30:6 ESV

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

See also 2 Sa 22:1–4; Ps 3:1–8

Daniel, whose patience in prayer was rewarded

Daniel 10:12 ESV

Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

See also Da 9:1–19

Jesus Christ, who perfectly trusted his Father

Hebrews 5:7 ESV

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

See also Lk 5:16; Jn 11:41–42

The early church, which was founded upon prayer

Acts 1:14 ESV

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

See also Ac 2:42; Ac 4:23–31; Ac 6:4; Ac 12:5

Paul, who prayed for all the churches which he founded or visited

Colossians 1:9 ESV

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

See also Ro 1:9–10; Eph 1:16; Php 1:4; 1 Th 3:10; 2 Th 1:11; 2 Ti 1:3; Phm 4

God has a future and a hope for you, He is waiting on you to cry out to Him in prayer.