Meditation

Hi there,

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

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

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

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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

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.

Andy

God’s word in your hand

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