Hannah’s Prayer

(1 Samuel Chapters 1)

Hi guys! On this Freedom Friday we will cover the topic of Hannah’s Prayer “GOD’S GOT YOU!” I know Ciara’s Prayer is trending and for good reason, I just want to point out the fact that women have poured out the most intimate details of their hearts for centuries, even dating back to the days of Hannah and before. Even with knowing this sometimes I believe it’s easy to feel as if your prayers go unheard and/or you’re fighting alone. Though these are valid emotions, the TRUTH remains that GOD hears us when we cry and though many may appear to be unaware, GOD knows and HE cares. As we look at this text we will find a woman named Hannah married to a man named Elkanah who has another wife named Peninah. (Sidebar: this setup of relationship does not condone polygamy or side pieces, it was simply the times they were living in, we still believe every man should have his own wife and every woman should have her own husband. ( 1 Corinthians 7:2)) Hannah was barren but Peninah had many children. There was no issue with her producing but the problem became that although she had more than Hannah she saw fit to mock, talk about, and bully her for what she didn’t have. Let me stick a pin here and allow you to know if nobody else sees what it is that you’re going through,GOD does. Hannah knew this and that is why although she was mocked, talked down to, and misunderstood she found hope in her relationship with GOD. Hannah was loved by GOD and though it took her time to bare children when she eventually did she became very fruitful. Let this encourage you as well, that though the vision tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come to pass! (Sidebar: I provided a playlist on the JESUSgirl.ENT podcast, episode entitled “Hannah’s Prayer” this is a perfect time to play “Write The Vision by Patrick Love and the A L Jinwright Mass Choir if it’s not already playing🥰🙌) Hannah tried to explain her situation to her husband, Elkanah, but he just didn’t get it. Frustrated, hurt, and deeply grieved, she PRAYED. May this serve as encouragement to us all that in the midst of adversity it does no good to confront the ‘Peninahs’ of our lives. It wouldn’t have mattered anyhow. Peninah had her mind made up concerning Hannah. And the truth of the matter is she didn’t lie, for a season Hannah was barren. But the problem with Peninah is the same problem with many. They don’t realize that GOD has the final say when it pertains to HIS children. And in a moments’ notice HE can change your life FOREVER. I remember working and having a co-worker to tell me, “I wouldn’t have hired you!” this in addition to many other things were said🤦. Now in my eyes and ears, following this statement, I had, had enough. (Not quite Hannah-like🤷.) I simply responded “Ma’am you’re out of order. You did not hire me and GOD has the FINAL say when it pertains to Shaniqua Robinson.” That shut her up. I’m sure she thought “Who does she think she is?” It had nothing to do with what I thought and everything to do with what I knew. In this Season it’s what you know to be TRUE about GOD that is being tested. Just like JESUS in the wilderness when tempted by the enemy. He had his accusations, and attempts to lure our LORD away but because HE knew who HE was and whose HE was, it didn’t work. Though Hannah battled with the reality of her situation, she trusted GOD. She trusted HIM enough to pray instead of retaliate and even in the presence of the man of GOD, yet again, she was misunderstood. Eli mistook her for being drunk when really she was pouring out her soul before GOD. She responded in humility and gently corrected him for viewing her wrong. Following this he responded by saying “May the Lord grant you your petition.” That’s all it took and the blessing she had been mocked for not having. The blessing she had been judged for not being able to Produce, was hers. Let that encourage you that in a moments’ notice the very thing you’re believing GOD for can be released and then every mocker, naysayer, doubter will be left speechless. Following this Peninah, according to scripture, spoke no more. What could she say? What will your critics be able to say, when the very thing you lacked turns into the very thing GOD gives you, plus tax? Now Hannah did make a promise to lend him, her son Samuel who would grow to be one of the greatest prophets in Israel, to the LORD all the days of HIS life, and she did it and GOD blessed her with more children. When GOD does it, keep your end of the bargain and give HIM the GLORY, point them back to JESUS, Spread the GOOD NEWS of the GOSPEL, and GLORIFY GOD for ALL HE HAS done in your life because in spite of it all: the drama with Peninah, the silence and lack of empathy from her husband, and the wrong judgment from the Priest, GOD knew HANNAH and HE heard her when she cried. The same way HE knows us and HE hears us when we cry. If noone else “gets it” GOD does. Keep praying, keep pressing, keep believing, for ye shall reap if you faint not. #GODSGOTYOU🦋

December 3, 2021