What Hannah taught me about prayer ( 1 Samuel 1)

When I think about the story of Hannah in the Bible, it hits me on a deep level. Here was a woman who knew what it felt like to want something so badly and yet have to wait on God's timing. She wanted a child, and year after year,  she endured pain,  disappointment,  and even ridicule. And still Hannah didn't give up. She prayed.

 

Hannah taught me that prayer isn't always about preety words or perfect posture. Sometimes, prayer is tears streaming down your face with no words coming out,  but your heart ♥ speaking louder than your lips ever could, I've been there. God invites us to pray any and every where  that's why he said come bodly before the throne of God ( Hebrews 4:16 ). Throne does not mean a literal kingly throne but anywhere you are can be his throne. I take the opportunity to pray anywhere. I pray on my knees, in the shower when I'm bathing, in the car, in my work bathroom, even before I make a phone call depending on what the conversation is like. Sometimes prayer is the only language I have left. 

Like Hannah,  I know what it's like to feel misunderstood. Eli thought she was drunk when she was praying, but really, she was pouring her soul out to God and God knew the exact weight of her prayers. 

Hannah also taught me that prayer requires persistence. She didn't just pray once and move on. She stayed in God's presence, even when the answer didn't come quickly. That persistence speaks to me because there are days when I want to give up on myself but Hannah's story reminds me: don't stop, keep on praying. God hears. 

And here's the beautiful part! When God finally blessed Hannah with Samuel, she didn't hold him back from the Lord, she gave her answered prayer back to the one who gave it to her. That challenged me to look at the things I've prayed for and ask myself: will I surrender it back to God when 

He gives it to me?

Hannah's story isn't just about a barren woman who became a mother. It's about the power of prayer to transform  desperate hearts  to  a trusting one.  It's about letting our deepest pain become our deepest prayer.

Soooo.. what Hannah taught me about prayer?

1. Prayer isn't begging,  it's trusting. 

2. Prayer isn't just asking,  it's surrendering 

3. Prayer isn't weaknesses , it's warefare

And just like Hannah, I believe my prayers even the ones prayed in silence and tears will birth something greater than I could imagine!