1 Samuel 1:7-20 New King James Version (NKJV)
7 So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.
8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
9 So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle[a] of the Lord. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 11 Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
12 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!”
15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 “Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman,[b] for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.”
17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”
18 And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
19 Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel,[c] saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord.”
How do we press on to God? Hannah poured out her soul before God. She petitioned God consistently and persistently and got the attention of God. Out of her brokenness, she cried out to God. A Sacrifice that was pleasing before the eyes of the Lord.
Can we have faith like Hannah? Of course we can. Here’s the clue. In Psalms 51:17 it says : “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18.
The next time we pray, let us P.U.S.H.. (Pray Until Something Happens).
This is part 2 of the Faith series. Read Part 1 here:
All About Faith Series: Part 1 (The Faith of Abraham Confirmed)
