The Prayer That Changed History Series

Not only was it a prayer that involved Sacrifice also

4. It Was a Prayer of Great Persistence (vv. 12-15)

Verse twelve says, ”And it happened, as she continued

praying before the LORD. Hannah’s prayer was so intense and persistent that Eli, the high priest, thought she was drunk “… 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!" Because her lips were moving and no sound was coming out, the high priest thought that she was drunk. Think about how devastating this must have been. Hannah’s husband had not handled her emotion state well at all. And now her “pastor” tells her she need to clean up her act and stop drinking.

Her rival had provoked her, she had been misunderstood by her husband and now Eli had condemned her.

Not only was it a prayer of great persistence but also

5. It was a Prayer without Reservation (v. 15)

Hannah defended herself nobly but with great humility in verse fifteen, ” 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.

When she was falsely accused she quickly set the record straight. “No,” she said, “It’s not what you think! I am not drunk, but I have simply poured out my heart to God.”

Oh that we would follow the example of Hannah in casting all her cares upon the Lord. 1 Peter 5:7 invites the believer to “cast all your care upon him for he Cares for you.” The Philips translation of that verse reads, “you can throw the whole weight of your anxieties on him, for you are his personal concern.” How much better it would be instead of pouring out our hearts to friends if committed our cause to God.

Hannah’s prayer was so focused on God that it was able to withstand the misunderstanding and criticism of the highest religious leader in the land. When you make it plain that you intend to follow God, in fact you intend to give you best to God without reservation, you can expect to be criticized by people who ought to encourage you. Moses was criticized by his own brother and sister (Numbers 12), David was criticized on his devotion to God by his own wife (2 Samuel 6:12-23) and Jesus was thought to be crazy by his own family (Mark 3:21).

The result of her conversation with Eli is seen in verse seventeen, “ 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.”

Having laid everything at God’s feet she went away at peace. After years of anxiety and stress she was at peace with God and herself.

This is a beautiful commentary on that well known passage in Philippians 4 where the Apostle Paul tells us:

“Be anxious for nothing, but everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” {Phil 4:6} You might expect that a continuation of this verse would read, "and your prayers will be answered," but what it goes on to say is, “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, [which cannot be explained] will guard your hearts and minds [guard your emotions] through Christ Jesus.” {Phil 4:7 RSV} That is what Hannah experienced here.