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Meditation

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Reader,

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Last week we kicked of our "prayer Season" by copying out the "Shema," three discreet passages in scripture that have become a liturgical prayer.

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Praying scripture is a simple and effective way to hold on to God's promises and bolster our prayer lives.

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This week, we are going to copy out actual prayers prayed by the faithful from the Bible.

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We're starting with a very short passage to copy today, but one that carries a profound message. Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, prays a simple, heartfelt request for a son with such fervor that Eli, the priest at the temple, accuses her of being drunk.

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In response, Hannah states that "I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

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Giving us a template for prayer. Hannah's prayer is simple, to the point, honest, fearless, and from the heart—a good starting point for our own.

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Today's text is 1 Samuel 1:10-11

Today's lines are in black and I have provided the subsequent lines for context in grey. As these aren't a prayer, copying them is optional.

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Hannah prays for a son

¹⁰ In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. ¹¹ And 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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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 favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

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Encouragement

I read somewhere once that the "shortest prayer is long enough." (Spurgeon, I think.) An encouragement for all of our prayer lives, and one that is amply borne out by this passage.

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Andy

God's Word In Your Hand

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