Faithful on Fridays Blog

Hannah was a childless woman of God who was mocked and provoked by her enemy, accused of drunkenness, and became deeply distressed, even angry, yet her example to us undeniable; she prayed until she received a breakthrough. God gave her a son whom she named Samuel and this birthing brought more prayer:

And Hannah prayed and said, … 1 Samuel 2:1a ESV

The Hebrew word for pray in this story, palal, is interesting; it’s a type of intercessory prayer, standing in the middle, but the core of the word leans toward discernment or judgment of a situation.

In the beginning of the story Hannah was praying silently, in her heart, so we don’t know what she said but we do know that she received her answer from God. Now, as she prays yet again, we’re privileged to read her Spirit-filled words, as they discern the new situation and bring praise to God.

This unique word palal is also the root for ‘wonder’ and ‘incomprehensible’ as the Angel of the LORD, the Messiah, visited another mother and father: Samson’s parents.

Then Manoah asked the Angel of the Lord, “What is your name? For when all this comes true, we want to honor you.” “Why do you ask my name?” the Angel of the Lord replied. “It is too wonderful for you to understand.” Judges 13:17-18 NLT

Breakthrough in prayer is wonderful, often miraculous and surpasses what we could ever comprehend. Jesus the Messiah is truly the Wonderful One prophesied in Isaiah:

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

And so Hannah prayed, palal, however, this time we read declarations of praise and prophecy as she reflected on the new situation for herself and her people.

The first verse is a personal reflection but bursting with meaning:

“My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.”

Exult isn’t an everyday word for us but it pictures Hannah triumphantly singing and dancing with joy! She has won the battle through prayer but God got all the credit as she declared ‘in the LORD’ twice in her victory. My horn is an expression of her position or strength; Yahweh raised her rank in the community and allowed her to deride or laugh at her enemy. The mockery has been flipped and her mouth boldly declared the rescue or salvation of the LORD. This opening verse is personal and Hannah cannot stop the praise from flowing from her mouth: she’s been granted favor as her name implies.

Where are you today? Do you have unanswered prayer and you’re waiting to see if God really hears or even cares? When you remain ‘in the LORD’, praying in faith, and judging a situation accurately He’ll show His wonderful ways to you as well. It’s His name, Wonderful One, and He delights in giving the gift of grace.