Introduction
During the time Hannah lived, the people were
morally bankrupt, the priests were corrupt,
people hated to go to worship, and the word
of the Lord was rarely heard.
Hannah’s prayer to God and God’s answer to her
prayer helped to change the course of history
of God’s people in her generation.
Samuel was the answer to Hannah’s prayer and
he became a great prophet, priest, and judge
in Israel (Acts 13:20; Heb. 11:32).
Hannah’s Prayer- out of Pain
Hannah is distressed because she is barren while
her husband’s other wife provokes her when
she is blessed with children (1 Samuel 1:1-7).
God wants His children to pray to Him when they
are suffering (Ps. 50:15; Jas 5:13; Phil. 4:6-7)
Hannah did not get drunk or rebel but instead
poured out her soul to God (1 Sam. 1:10).
Do we seek God’s help when we are in pain or
forsake Him (Jas 4:8)?
Hannah’s Prayer- Promises
Hannah vows that if God will give her a son, she
will give him to the Lord all the days of his life
(1 Samuel 1:11)
She wasn’t trying to bribe God, but was willing to
sacrifice her desires to serve Him (Eccl 5:1-5).
When you pray for something, how far are you
willing to sacrifice yourself to serve God?
If you pray for spiritual growth, are you being
diligent to fulfill God’s will in your life?
(Eph. 6:10ff; 2 Tim. 2:15, 21; 1 Pet. 2:11).
Hannah’s Prayer- Persistent
She persisted in prayer instead of giving up when
it didn’t happen (1 Sam. 1:12; 1 Thess. 5:17)
Jesus prayed 3X in the Garden, “Not My will, but
Thine be done” (Luke 22:42).
The apostle Paul prayed earnestly that his thorn
in the flesh would be removed (2 Cor. 12:8).
Do you give up too easily if your prayer isn’t
answered or are you persistent (Lk. 18:1-8)?
Hannah’s Prayer- Pure Heart
She didn’t pray like many others apparently did
during that time but spoke from a pure heart
(1 Sam. 1:13-16; Matt 5:8; 6:1ff)
Are you calling on the Lord from a pure heart or
are you seeking to fulfill your lustful desires?
(2 Tim. 2:22; James 4:3-4)
Do you say what you really want to say to God or
do you use meaningless repetition of other
people’s words? (Matt. 6:5-7)
Hannah’s Prayer- Positive
She is confident that God was going to answer
her prayer after Eli’s words of encouragement
as she is no longer sad (1 Sam. 1:17-18)
We should pray without any doubting like she did
(James 1:5-8)
When you pray, are you confident that God will
answer it according to His will which will be
best for you? (Heb. 4:14-16; Rom. 8:28)
God is able to do much more than we ask or
think (Eph. 3:20-21). Be positive!
Hannah’s Prayer- Praise
After God answers Hannah’s prayer she praises
Him (1 Samuel 2:1ff).
Do we remember to praise God after He answers
our prayers or do we quickly forget how the
Lord has blessed us (Heb. 13:15)?
Hannah’s prayer and faith is given as an example
for us so that we through the perseverance
and encouragement of the Scriptures might
have hope (Rom. 15:4).
Conclusion
One woman’s prayer of faith in the midst of
severe trials helped to turn the Israelites back
to God for many years (1 Sam. 7:3ff).
Will you be like Hannah today who will
persistently pray with a pure heart, be
positive, and praise God in the midst of a
wicked and perverse generation?
The effective prayer of even one righteous
person can accomplish much (James 5:16).