Proverbs 29:18
King James Version (KJV)
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Proverbs 29:18
English Standard Version (ESV)
18 Where (A)there is no prophetic vision the people (B)cast off restraint,[a]
but blessed is he who (C)keeps the law.
Proverbs 29:18
New International Version (NIV)
18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.(A)
1 Samuel 3:1
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Lord Calls Samuel
3 (A)Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. (B)And the word of theLord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
1 Samuel 2:11
English Standard Version (ESV)
11 Then Elkanah went home (A)to Ramah. (B)And the boy[a] was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli the priest.
1 Samuel 2:18
English Standard Version (ESV)
18 (A)Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy (B)clothed with a linen ephod.
Definition of REVELATION
1
a : an act of revealing or communicating divine truth
b : something that is revealed by God to humans
2
a : an act of revealing to view or making known
b : something that is revealed; especially : an enlightening
Although the phrase “prayer warrior” is not found in Scripture, a prayer warrior is generally thought of as a Christian who prays continually and effectively for others in the manner of praying taught in Scripture. Therefore prayer warriors pray to Father God (Matthew 6:9) in the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16; Jude 1:20) and in the name of Jesus (John 14:13). To be a warrior in prayer is to engage in the spiritual battle and fight the good fight of faith wearing the full armor of God and “pray[ing] in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:10-18).
While all Christians are to be prayer warriors, there are some people who feel they have a special and unique ability to pray and have been called by God to pray as their special ministry. The Bible never specifies certain people who are to pray more often, more diligently or more effectively than other Christians, but there are diligent pray-ers who are known for their emphasis on prayer. Paul commands that “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone” (2 Timothy 2:1), and he says nothing that would indicate some people are exempt from doing so. All believers in Christ have the Holy Spirit who helps us communicate our prayer requests (Romans 8:26-27).
All believers are to be praying in the name of Jesus, which means that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, that we trust in Him for everything, including His interceding with the Father for us in all things, and that we live and pray in accordance with God's will. Praying in Jesus' name does not mean merely adding “in Jesus’ name” to a prayer. Rather, it means praying in submission to His will.
As prayer warriors, we rejoice in all things and have a spirit of thankfulness for what God is doing in our lives and the lives of others, and our own spirits grow day by day as we come to realize the magnitude of our blessings. We know with certainty that God provided the breath we just took (Isaiah 42:5); that He has forgiven our past, present and future sins (1 John 2:12); that He loves us with an eternal love (Ephesians 2:4-7); and that we have a place in heaven with our Lord (1 Peter 1:3-5). Our hearts, then, are filled with joy and peace and overflow with love for God, and we want others to have this same love, joy and peace. Therefore we work for them by praying.
Effective prayer is indeed work. We have to learn to walk with God, so we meditate daily on Him and His ways in order to become more and more humble, an essential for effective prayer (2 Chronicles 7:13-15). We also study Scripture thoughtfully every day to learn what is pleasing to God and therefore what constitutes acceptable prayer. We learn to eliminate hindrances to prayer (Mark 11:25; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 John 3:21-22) and not to grieve the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30-32). We learn that we are in a spiritual battle with Satan so we must pray for our own spiritual well being to maintain our strength and focus in praying for others (Ephesians 6:12-18).
Prayer warriors have a heart for God, a heart for prayer, a heart for people, and a heart for Christ's church.
Therefore we pray continually and trust that God answers each prayer according to His perfect will and in His perfect timing.
A Prayer Warrior
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 countenance 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.
My question to you is, “Will you be a Hannah that Births a Prophetic Samuel in your generation?” Will you be one whose life is dedicated and set apart to the Lord? Will you be one who not only prays but listens to hear the voice of God and who acts in obedience? Will you be a voice of courage to a wayward generation?
