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Turn in your Bible to I Samuel Chapter 1 - it is a well-known passage but we have not dealt with it here..

A man had two wives - concurrently – today, men have them consecutively.

Peninnah had children to her husband. Hannah did not. She was barren.

Husband Elkanah went regularly with his family to Shiloh to worship.

The sacrifice meat was shared out - but to Hannah he gave double portion - as if to say, one is for the son you never bore.

Peninnah had sons and daughters. Hannah was a rival, who was provoked with the aim of irritating her.

This is drama - worthy of modern soap programmes. Hannah is taunted and teased. Peninnah is hostile - hateful - spiteful.

Here is domestic strife - in the house of God.

Verse 5 - God can allow us to go through barren seasons.

Verse 7 - This went on year after year - child after child.

Was the situation hopeless? Was Hannah near the point of giving up?

Hannah wept weepingly - and would NOT eat - although given two portions. Was this fasting? We are not told.

God often begins with apparently impossible situations.

Verse 10 - Hannah prayed - interceded – and petitioned the living God.

"Lord Almighty" - Lord of hosts - Lord of all the armies of angels - that is what she said. And that was to whom she went - verse 3 .

Verse 11 - Hannah had a purpose in her praying - and she was specific.

If you will - I will - that can be dangerous at times - but in certain situations it is essential - and God reveals that here - and is teaching us this lesson.

The situation was desperate – verses 6,7 'provoke' – 6,16 'grief ' – 7,10 'weeping' – 8 'downhearted' – 10 'bitterness of soul' – 11 'misery' – verse 15 'deeply troubled'. Look at these verses and be reminded of what some people have to endure and go through.

How often do you hear that depth of reality at a Prayer Meeting ?

Verse 12 – Hannah continued, and seeks God, with an almost supernatural hunger. Hannah believes in the God who made the world out of nothing - the Creator. She is looking for a breakthrough - and God heard her prayer as she prayed in faith. She is so absorbed in prayer - so intense - that Eli thought she was drunk.

We see this on the Day of Pentecost – the people of God falsely accused.

Verse 17 - Eli reveals a compassion and understanding.

Hannah had come too far to turn back. She was not giving up on God. She continued to pursue God in prayer. It all appeared - unproductive - unfruitful - with nothing happening.

Hannah - means 'Grace'.

Verse 19 – The family return home - and God remembered Hannah - and God had heard her prayer. A son is born. Samuel means - 'asked of the Lord'.

There came the day when Hannah took Samuel to Shiloh. What follows must have been hard - but if you make a vow to God - you had better keep it.

Samuel's life begins with a woman breaking her heart - and suffering such anguish.

God answered her prayer - but not just so that she could have a son - but that GOD could have a ruler - a Judge - a Prophet.

God is at work - because GOD needed a Samuel as Hannah needed a Samuel.

Moses prayed in the wilderness - Elijah on the mountain top - Daniel in his house three times a day - Jesus by the Lakeside and in the Garden of Gethsemane - Peter in the upper room; in prison; and on a rooftop.

Wherever you are – if you are a servant of God – pray – pray – pray on.

“Lord God – hear our praying – our praying – not just our prayers. There is a reality and depth and intensity in Hannah’s praying – and You answered. Loving Father, we need a Samuel today – a leader raised up by You – someone to guide and lead and direct according to Your Word. Lord God – have mercy – encourage us – inspire us – motivate us to pray – hear us this day in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

The Importance of Prayer