Faithful on Fridays Blog

Hannah: A Story of Grace (Scene Two)

We left Hannah last week in the midst of grief and spiritual warfare, but as she continued to worship, 1 Sam. 1:9 tells us she rose up. Her decision was to confront the enemy of her soul by calling upon the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. 

Prayer can be like that for us as well. We grieve and cry out to God, then, at just the right time, God the Spirit empowers us and we rise up in holy boldness letting the devil know who he’s dealing with: God’s kid.

Hannah (vs. 10), was operating in the bitterness of her soul; the word can also be translated enraged, fierce, or angry. She got serious with the situation and knew what to do. I have a sense that in her bitterness she sounded like the widow in the parable:

‘Give me justice against my adversary!’ Luke 18:3

She knew that her prayers for justice were being heard and she did something that I’m sure we can all identify with: she vowed a vow. That means she prayed a conditional prayer: if … then. “LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you’ll remember my request for a son, then I’ll give him back to You.” She didn’t stop there, she continued praying, even her body responded, and she appeared intoxicated. She was groaning in the Spirit (Rom. 8:26) with deep inward sighs that drew attention from Eli the priest. Hannah’s heart was speaking and her lips moved, but words weren’t heard. If you’ve ever been there then you know what it means to pour out your soul to the Lord without words; you don’t know what to say anymore.

Remember, Hannah’s cries to God were not sweet worship, but angry complaints against Peninnah and her provocations. How long, O LORD? 

There are several Greek words that translate prayer; the most common is proseuche which indicates an exchange of something. When we pray we’re asking God to exchange our worries for His peace, our anger for His joy, or our will for His will to be done. That’s a good place to remain. 

… praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:18a

Another word for prayer is deisis which means you have a deep, personal need to be met and you make an appeal to God: supplication. It’s also used in James 5:16b:

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

What were the results of Hannah’s prayers? Eli, as her priest, declared God’s word to her: Go in shalom, wholeness of body and soul, and God will grant your petition. She responded in thankfulness for God’s grace and the depression lifted. 

Hannah experienced breakthrough in her circumstances and she was no longer sad; she had a word from God. It was enough to keep her going throughout the year until that kairos moment arrived and she conceived. 

Keep the faith, my friends, your kairos is coming.