**Note: I used the book "Breakthrough Prayer" by Jim Cymbala as a reference.
Title: Breakthrough Prayer
Theme: Showing the Next Level of Prayer
Text: 1 Samuel 1 - 3
1Sa 1:9-20 So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the LORD. (10) And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. (11) Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head." (12) And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. (13) Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. (14) So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!" (15) And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. (16) "Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now." (17) Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him." (18) And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. (19) Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. (20) So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the LORD."
Introduction
Over the last few messages we have been talking about prayer. This morning I would like to talk to you about “Breakthrough Prayer”. If you would open your Bibles and turn with me to the book of 1 Samuel. 1 Samuel chapter
Hannah lived in a time of great lawlessness. The book of Judges described the times over and over again as a time when “everyone did as he saw fit” Judges 21:25. There was no king and no rule of the land. I just got finished reading through Judges and it is amazing what went on. The only explanation that the author had was everyone did for themselves.
1 Samuel describes as second problem in the land.
1Samuel 3:1 Then the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.
In other words not only had people began to do what they thought but God was not revealing himself to no one.
Then there was the third plight of the land. In 1 Samuel 1 we are introduced to the priest Eli. He was suppose ably the godly leader of the land yet his two sons Hophni and Phinehas were prostituting the priesthood. They were taking sexual favors from the ladies who came to offer sacrifices. These were suppose to be men of God yet they were taking advantage of the people. And Eli stood by and did nothing.
I mean the land was a mess and there was no one to straighten it out.
But the good news is somebody is praying. And what I have learned is that when you don’t know what to do and you don’t see how to fix the problem the best thing is to start praying and keep praying until you hear from God.
In 1 Samuel 1 we are also introduced to a woman called Hannah. She was in a desperate situation. She was married to man who had another wife and she was barren. And this other woman Peninnah would pick on her. She would taunt her because she was barren. Hannah became desperate the have a child.
She became focused and determined in her prayer life that she would pray often. All serious prayer is born out a need. It is more than just having the knowledge of how to pray but the fact that I must pray.
More than saying “I need to pray today” but breakthrough prayer says, “I must pray today”. I can’t miss this time because I must hear from God.
This is where Hannah was at. She was at a point of desperate prayer. She was at a point where she had a burdened heart and she would come to the temple and pray.
1Sa 1:9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple. 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD . 11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon 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."
As you see Hannah became so desperate. We often look at this prayer and see a woman who is praying for a child to make up her misery. But I believe that there is more here. I believe there is a bigger picture. The bigger picture is a woman who is praying for a son that will make a difference for the kingdom of God. Not just for her own felt needs.
Breakthrough prayers are prayers for the bigger picture. For “thy kingdom come and thy will be done one earth as it is in heaven”. God these are desperate times. And with desperate times come desperate measures.
We often pray for a breakthrough thinking about us in mind but what about God’s kingdom. What difference would it make? What difference would it make if he healed you? What difference will you make when He breaks through? Can you see it?
Notice the emotion in this prayer. When you are desperate you pray differently. When you are determined you react differently. This is what happened to Jesus.
Heb 5:7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed with deep emotion and the Bible says that blood ran down His face like sweat. Maybe we don’t have to do that (which we also don’t face carrying the sin of the world on us). Yet we need to pray.
1Sa 1:12-13 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
She was praying. She was crying. Sometimes in our prayers we don’t even know how to form words.
Reminds me so much of deep spiritual prayer that we find in Romans 8
Rom 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Eli’s reaction
1Sa 1:14-16 and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of 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."
Eli was so spiritually bankrupt that he didn’t recognize true Godly prayer. Many times when we pray the enemy will come and try to distract us from our prayer. The closer we get the more distractions. That is what “pressing through” and “holding on to God” is all about.
1Sa 1:17-18 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.
This is that prayer of faith. When she heard the man of God prophesy then she felt peace. Her countance changed. By faith she received the word and went her way.
What I say is pray until we have the peace of God. Maybe we need to come back and pray again, and again. Some things seem to be granted quickly and others seem to take more time.
Eph 6:18-20 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (19) Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, . . . .Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers.
All the times
God answered her prayer and even more
1Sa 2:21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
Eph 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (21) to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Releasing our burden on Him
Php 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
