Hannah's Prayer

In 1 Samuel 1 we see Hannah,  barren wife of  Elkanah, crying out to the Lord is prayer.  Her heart is heavy and her spirit is broken as her peers taunt and tease her because of her "lack".   Her husband loves her and is understanding but it is not enough.   The Scripture says that the "Lord had closed her womb" v 5.   Thus she was provoked to anger.  It was  a long standing battle that finally took its toll.  Hannah, worn out from within, stopped eating and fell into deep depression. Her husband although sweet did not have the abilitiy to hear her deepest heart cry.  

This year, this time, she wept bitterly, praying and promising God if He would give her a son that she would give the child back.   

Eli, the priest, did not "get it" either.  Thinking she was drunk he proposed that she join AA.  She explained to him her plight and he heard her.  He blessed her by sending her away in peace and asking the God of Israel to grant her prayer whatever it was. v 17.

Verse 18 finds our lady eating and no longer downcast.  Her burden had been lifted.  

How did that happen?

She went and did business with the Lord

She told the Priest of her anguish and he blessed her

She laid her burden down

and put on a different face.

Now the awesome ending is that 

she worshiped with her husband....

spiritually and physically 

and conceived.

The story builds in power 

and if you have not read it in a while 

I suggest you do.

Friend 

The Lord is the One 

Who opens and closes the womb

The Lord gives and takes away

The Lord sends rain and scorching sun

and

the Lord hears and answers prayer.

Don't give up  

Take your anguish and questions to Him   

He is waiting.  

Stay there until the burden is lifted off 

and you can stand again in worship.  

The answer will be on its way.  

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