A Prayer of Hope and FaithLent is a time of fervent prayer. Are our prayers merely a punctuation mark during the day or times to petition God in hope and faith that He will answer? From an Africa Study Bible touchpoint: Augustine (AD 354–430), a well-known leader of the early church whose writings are often still read today, was born in northern Africa in a place that is today called Algeria. He wrote:As you consider the example of Hannah, pray earnestly to overcome your trials and the temptations of this world. Pray in hope. Pray in faith. Pray in love. Pray earnestly and patiently.Elkanah’s wife and mother of Samuel prayed with sorrow of mind and brokenness of heart because she had no sons. God gave her Samuel, and she dedicated him to the Lord in fulfillment of the vow she had made when she had prayed that God might give her a son. Today: Just like Hannah, are there things in your life making you sad and helpless because you feel you have no control over them? Bring one of these issues before God today. Ask him to help you. Don’t be ashamed of expressing yourself in your plea—Hannah was accused of being drunk because of how passionate her prayer was! Pray like Hannah in faith and hope believing that God has the best answer for you. You can, if you like, also talk to a church leader to pray with you.
Scripture
1 Samuel 1:9-18
9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house.
10 In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.
11And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.’12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.
13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk
14 and said to her, ‘How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.’15 ‘Not so, my lord,’ Hannah replied, ‘I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.’17 Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.’18 She said, ‘May your servant find favour in your eyes.’ Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
