Praying With Purpose

“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 of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 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.” - 1 Samuel 1:9-11

1 Samuel describes Hannah’s prayer as one of anguish. Her heart was bitter but she knew the God she prayed to. She was counting on His faithfulness. Hannah’s greatest strength was her willingness to completely empty herself in prayer, trusting that the Lord would fill her up. Hannah did not walk away with all her problems solved but verse 18 tells us that her continence changed. “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.” - 1 Samuel 1:18.

Hannah left everything at the altar and trusted the Lord to fill her with what she needed. How often do we present our needs to our Heavenly Father but hold back? We are too afraid to give Him every burden and trust Him to fill us with what we need. What if we prayed with the same purpose that Hannah did? Could we expect the same faithfulness Hannah experienced? Absolutely! The same God Hannah trusted with her bitterness is the same God we can trust with ours. His faithfulness can be counted on and His promises are just as sure today as they were for Hannah.

Amber Clendenin