How would you like to read through God's Love Letter—His Word, the Bible, with a group of like-minded, Christian girlfriends? We're doing that over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group. Did you know you don't have to start a Bible reading plan on January 1? You can begin today! This simple plan, and an accountability partner, will help you succeed. Who will be your accountability partner? Share this post with them and invite them to the private Facebook group.
Sweeter Than Honey is patterned after this Bible Reading Itinerary. On Tuesdays, here at the blog, I would love it if you and I could take a trip through God's Word and Sweeter Than Honey, together! I would also encourage you to Join us over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group, introduce yourself, meet new friends, and share your thoughts there as well. We're waiting for you!
1 Samuel 1-3: Pray Like Hannah
The story of Hannah is especially significant to women who struggle with infertility. Many times, when they conceive and give birth to a child these verses will be written on a birth announcement or hang on the wall of that child’s room: “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” (1 Samuel 1:27-28).
But Hannah’s prayer has significance for all of us, not just the woman struggling to conceive. Hannah was “deeply distressed and troubled in spirit“ so much so that the Bible records that she “wept bitterly.” She poured out her heart and soul before the Lord in such a way that Eli the priest thought she was drunk! This passage is, in fact, the first time anxiety is mentioned in the Bible. “…for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation” (1:16).
Hannah prayed for the Lord to look, remember, and give. “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.’
Have you ever prayed for anything in the way that Hannah prayed, where your praying was so intense that you looked as if you were drunk? I don’t know that I have. But maybe we should! Hannah prayed that the Lord would look at her affliction, remember and not forget her, and then she got really specific—she prayed that the Lord would give her a son, not just a child, but specifically a son.
How often do we pray with intensity and specifics like Hannah? Let’s pray like Hannah!
Have you ever prayed for anything in the way that Hannah prayed, where your praying was so intense that you looked as if you were drunk?
About Sweeter Than Honey
When I read God’s Word each morning, I find inspiration and insight that keeps my day on track. Join me on this journey. Let’s settle in with His Word—it’s His Love Letter to us. Did you know that? Let’s read it like a love letter, expecting to glean something for our walk with Him every day. Let’s look for peace in the chaos and strength for our weaknesses. Even on our busiest days we can carve out a few minutes to refocus on the important—the eternal. Can’t we? We may have to get up a little earlier, when the house is still and quiet, or stay up a few minutes after the others are all tucked in for the night, but we can do this! I know we can!
Let's be intentional about focusing on God’s Word and the truths found there. Let's let it inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have found. God sees you. He knows you by name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He cares about every detail of your daily existence. He wrote you a Love Letter. Let’s dive in!
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16 Comments
3/29/2022 09:07:21 am
I've prayed pretty intensely sometimes, but I don't know what it looked like. :-) I'm so thankful we can cast all the cares of our heart on Him and trust Him to do what's best.
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3/29/2022 09:25:01 am
Besides the beautiful story of Hannah, in today's reading, the story of Samuel being called by the Lord caught my attention, especially this part in 1 Samuel 3:15-18, where Eli tells Samuel to tell him ALL that the Lord told him:
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3/29/2022 09:07:52 am
Love how Hannah received peace after praying and before her prayer was answered.
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3/29/2022 09:29:45 am
I love that the Bible lays that out for us to see clearly, Debbie!!
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3/30/2022 08:39:58 am
Just as amazing to me is how she promised and then followed through with her promise to literally give her son back to the Lord. I wonder if I would have been looking for a loophole. Sometimes when God gives us a blessing, it can be hard to release it when the time comes. 3/29/2022 09:51:39 am
I'm so glad we have Hannah's prayer in the Bible. I love her example of pouring it all out before the Lord!
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3/29/2022 09:59:23 am
Yes, Lisa!!
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3/29/2022 12:51:05 pm
Years ago, I did a dramatic monologue as Hannah, so I feel as if I lived inside her skin for a season. 3/29/2022 02:05:24 pm
Yes, Gayl! May we also go BOLDLY before the throne of grace to our Heavenly Father with our heartfelt petitions knowing He listens, He hears, and He answers in His own way and His perfect time. :)
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3/29/2022 03:17:51 pm
What an incredible example of humble, vulnerable prayer.
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3/29/2022 04:47:16 pm
Yes, Lauren! I especially love the truths she prays:
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Hannah was a mentor in my infertility journey - her story taught me so very much - and I think that what I learned taught me how to go to God for challenges that came afterwards - that God wants us to pour out the distress of our spirits to Him - no one else can do anything to help us - only Him!
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3/29/2022 06:17:27 pm
I am so glad, Maryleigh, that God put a story like Hannah's in the Bible for girls like you! :) And you're so right when you say, "what I learned taught me how to go to God for challenges that came afterwards." Girls like me fit into her story there.
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3/30/2022 12:04:35 pm
I love that Hannah shows us we can come before God and pour out our hearts. More so, her story shows us how God is moved with compassion when He sees us and hears us our prayers. How grateful I am for our approachable God!
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3/30/2022 12:53:16 pm
THIS!!
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