Sweeter Than Honey Pray Like Hannah

Sweeter Than Honey: Pray Like Hannah

3/29/2022

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). #pray #prayer #praying #Samuel #Biblestudy #devotional #read

From the Old Testament to the New, the eternality of God's Word is clearly proclaimed:

Job tells us, “I have treasured the Words of His mouth more than my portion of food” (Job 23:12).

Isaiah reminds us that, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

And Matthew records Jesus saying, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

God's Word is like an eternal Love Letter to us!

Have you ever received a love letter, friend? Did you read it? Did you read it just once, or did you read it over and over again? A Love Letter is a treasure when you love the One who sent it!

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.

JOIN THE PRIVATE SWEETER THAN HONEY 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.’

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.” (1 Samuel 1:9-18)

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

Barbara Harper link

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.

Patsy Burnette link

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:

"Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.

But Eli called Samuel and said, 'Samuel, my son.'

And he said, 'Here I am.'

And Eli said, 'What was it that He told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that He told you.'

So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him.

And he said, 'It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him.'”

Hannah could have said those same words long before Samuel was born. "It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good...” (3:18).

Debbie Wilson link

3/29/2022 09:07:52 am

Love how Hannah received peace after praying and before her prayer was answered.

3/29/2022 09:29:45 am

I love that the Bible lays that out for us to see clearly, Debbie!!

"The description of Hannah before and after prayer--
Troubled in spirit
Deeply distressed
Weeping bitterly
Great anxiety vexation

…And she poured out her soul to the Lord.

This resulted in peace…she went her way and ate and her face was no longer sad.

This is a great example of Philippians 4:6–7
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”" —copied from Julie over in the Sweeter Than Honey Facebook group discussion on today's reading.

Donna Reidland link

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.

Lisa notes link

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!

3/29/2022 09:59:23 am

Yes, Lisa!!

"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.

There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides You; there is no Rock like our God. 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. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them He has set the world.

He will guard the feet of His faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them He will thunder in Heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; He will give strength to His king and exalt the horn of His anointed.'” 1 Samuel 2:1-10

Michele Morin link

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.

Gayl link

3/29/2022 02:02:13 pm

I love Hannah's great trust in the Lord. She knew He would hear her prayer, and she wasn't afraid to pour out her heart. May we follow her example. Blessings to you! I'm your neighbor at #InspireMeMonday.

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. :)

Lauren Renee Sparks link

3/29/2022 03:17:51 pm

What an incredible example of humble, vulnerable prayer.

3/29/2022 04:47:16 pm

Yes, Lauren! I especially love the truths she prays:
—There is none holy like the Lord
—There is none besides Him
—There is no Rock like our God
—The Lord is a God of knowledge
—By the Lord actions are weighed
—By Him the feeble bind on strength
—Those who were hungry have ceased to hunger
—The Lord kills and brings to life
—He brings down to Sheol and raises up
—The Lord makes poor and makes rich
—He brings low and He exalts
—He raises up the poor from the dust
—He lifts the needy from the ash heap
—The pillars of the earth are the Lord's
—He will guard the feet of His faithful ones
—The Lord will judge the ends of the earth
—He will give strength and exalt the His anointed

Maryleigh link

3/29/2022 05:24:59 pm

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!

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.

We all have challenges, whether it is an infertility journey or something else, when we find ourselves helpless. My helpless situation today is a prodigal. God likes to place us there, in helpless situations, where we only have Him to depend on.

jviola79@hotmail.com link

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!

3/30/2022 12:53:16 pm

THIS!!
👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
"...her story shows us how God is moved with compassion when He sees us and hears us our prayers."

"When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36

"And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." Matthew 14:14

Compassion 🥰

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