“And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart.Only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard....”(1 Samuel 1:12-13)
“It so happened that as she continued in prayer before God, Eli was watching her closely. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, silently.
Her lips moved, but no sound was heard...”(MBCL)
“ Now while she was a long time in prayer before the Lord, Eli was watching her mouth. For Hannah's prayer came from her heart,
and though her lips were moving she made no sound...”(BBE)
“Ye lust, and have not, ye kill and desire to have, and cannot obtain;ye fight and war,yet ye have not, because ye ask not”(James 4:2)
Hannah was a woman of destiny. She was barren but by the power of silent praying at Shiloh, her situation was saved completely. Though, she suffered many things from her adversaries, yet she came out a better person. Peninnah was her adversary especially anytime she thought of going to the house of the Lord, Elkanah that tried to prove his love to her got another woman for himself, and Eli, the minister at the sanctuary misquoted her. She became confused physically but strong spiritually. Though, she had it all rough but she decided to communicate correctly to heaven, who helped her out. In all things, her voice was not heard when she was praying at Shiloh.
What a life that begot victory and testimony!
There is power in silent prayer as well as praying aloud in some cases especially during warfare. Christians receive from their heavenly father not by complaining, struggling, lusting, killing, desiring, cheating, fighting, warring or fretting but by “ASKING” appropriately to Him that created and knows all things. There must be asking before receiving. This can be possible by praying silently.
Some Christians today neglect the power of silent prayer.
None should criticize praying aloud but you should know that a room is provided for silent praying. Because there is power in silent prayer, it reveals to us the rightful manner someone approaches a king or a high officer in his community or nation. It calls for deep reverence, respect, humility, love, obedience and excellent conduct of behaviour. Whenever you are alone before God, you should learn to talk to Him.
The ways of God are past finding. You should learn from His encounter with the man, Elijah after His manifestation at Mount Carmel. The word of God recorded;
“The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. Then a great and
powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave”. (1 kings 19:11-12 NIV)
The New King James Version of the Bible puts it this way;
“Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice”.
When you keep the Lord’s commandment, then you are in right standing with Him. There is power in silence!
Whenever Jesus withdrew Himself to the mountain from the sight of people, He knew very well how to pray to His father. These always gave Him breakthrough and success in His father’s business while on earth.
Again, you should not underrate the power of silent praying. David said, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 64:10) The Holy Ghost needs the atmosphere of silence, discipline, stillness and quietness. These attract His presence because He is a gentle Spirit. This was taught by God himself when He desired to manifest Himself to the prophet of fire, Elijah. God was absent in the strong wind, in the earthquake,in a fire but decided to speak with a still small voice- the one only the prophet may hear and understand.
What a great lesson for today’s Christians!
The Word of God tells us that Peter heard the voice of the Lord about the sixth hour while in the state of prayer and quietness in his housetop (Acts 10:9). The face of Moses shone after meeting Lord (Exodus 34:33-34)
When you pray secretly and silently at times, you are sure of total concentration which may bring God’s Divine visitation and success in your life. Silent prayers are basically considered in the crowded environment, center, workshop or office. It needs faith connection to reach the Heavenly throne. It is not a moment to sleep when kneeling down to pray. It is Biblical as God is ever ready to solve your problems through this way. Though one of the major reasons why some people pray aloud is to maintain self, so that they should not fall asleep. But in all, God hears prayers that are both offered silently or loudly but you should choose the best atmosphere or environment suitable for each. Be wise!
