Hannah’s Prayer 1 Samuel 1:6-20 (NET)
6 Her rival used to aggravate her to the point of exasperation, just to irritate her, since the LORD had not enabled her to have children. 7 This is how it would go year after year. As often as she went up to the LORD’s house, Peninnah would offend her in that way.
So she cried and refused to eat. 8 Then her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why are you crying and why won’t you eat? Why are you so upset? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” 9 So Hannah got up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh.
At the time Eli the priest was sitting in his chair by the doorpost of the LORD’s sanctuary. 10 As for Hannah, she was very distressed. She prayed to the LORD and was, in fact, weeping. 11 She made a vow saying, “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you would truly look on the suffering of your servant, and would keep me in mind and not neglect your servant, and give your servant a male child, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life. His hair will never be cut.”
12 It turned out that she did a great deal of praying before the LORD. Meanwhile Eli was watching her mouth. 13 As for Hannah, she was speaking in her mind. Only her lips were moving; her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was a drunkard.
14 Then he said to her, “How much longer do you intend to get drunk? Put away your wine!” 15 But Hannah replied, “Not so, my lord! I am a woman under a great deal of stress. I haven’t drunk wine or beer. But I have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman. It’s just that, to this point, I have spoken from my deep pain and anguish.”
17 Eli replied, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the request that you have asked of him.” 18 She said, “May I, your servant, find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and got something to eat. Her face no longer looked sad.
19 They got up early the next morning. Then they worshiped the LORD and returned to their home at Ramathaim. Elkanah was intimate with his wife Hannah, and the LORD called her to mind. 20 Then Hannah became pregnant.
1. The World, People, Situations, and Circumstances will provoke you and cause you stress!
Don’t be a Peninnah…
Hannah in the bible means favored
2. Bring your petition to God– Go to him!
11 She made a vow saying, “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you would truly look on the suffering of your servant, and would keep me in mind and not neglect your servant, and give your servant a male child, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life. His hair will never be cut.”
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
3. Walk Away Different and Keep your Promise
18 She said, “May I, your servant, find favor in your sight.” So, the woman went her way and got something to eat. Her face no longer looked sad.
19 They got up early the next morning. Then they worshiped the LORD and returned to their home at Ramathaim. Elkanah was intimate with his wife Hannah, and the LORD called her to mind. 20 Then Hannah became pregnant.