A. INTRODUCTION: PRAYING IN FAITH
1. Hannah is the ideal image of motherhood who wanted children and prayed for them and raised them for God.
2. Elkanah, a compromising priest, i.e., polygamy.
3. The godly high priest Eli had wicked sons (1 Samuel 2:12, 17, 29).
4. Hannah’s great faith grows in a compromising culture.
B. SEVEN STEPS TO GREAT RESULTS IN PRAYER
1. Great NEED drives us to desperation in prayer.
a. No child. “The Lord had shut up her womb” (1:5).
b. Bitterly criticized. “ Peninnah liked to make Hannah feel miserable about not having any children” (1:6, CEV)
c. No support. Eli asked Hannah, “How long are you going to stay drunk?” (1:14, CEV).
2. Great DESPERATION in prayer drives us to sacrifice.
a. Commitment. Hannah, “vowed a vow.”
b. Fast. “Why won’t you eat?” (1:8, CEV).
c. Gave up family time. “When the sacrifice had been offered, and they had eaten the meal, Hannah got up and went to pray” (1:9, CEV).
d. Weeping and pleading. “Hannah was brokenhearted and crying as she prayed” (1:10, CEV).
3. Great SACRIFICE leads up to continual prayer.
a. Yearly. “The family went to the house of the Lord each year” (1:7, CEV). “One day, Elkanah was there offering a sacrifice” (1:7, CEV). “Hannah prayed silently” (1:12, CEV).
b. Jesus said, “Keep on asking . . . keep on seeking . . . keep on knocking and the door will open” (Matt. 7:7, Amplified).
4. Great FAITH is born out of great need, great desire, and great sacrifice. “Lord All-Powerful, I am your servant, but I am so miserable! Please let me have a son. I will give him to you for as long as he lives, and his hair will never be cut” (1:11, CEV).
a. Is this first prayer?
b. The Nazarite vow (Numbers 6:1-21).
5. Great faith leads to great ANSWERS.
a. Eli. “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him” (1:17, NKJV).
b. Son. “And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her . . . Hannah conceived” (1:19-20).
6. Great answers lead to great FOLLOW THROUGH.
a. Name. The name Samuel means to ask. “Because I have asked for him from the Lord” (1:20, NKJV).
b. Stayed home. “Not until the child is weaned” (1:22).
c. Dedication. “Hannah said, ‘A few years ago I stood here beside you and asked the Lord to give me a child. Here he is! The Lord gave me just what I asked for. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will be the Lord’s servant for as long as he lives’” (1:26-28, CEV).
To make great prayer with great faith,
Make great vows and keep them!
7. Great follow through in prayer leads to great WORSHIP.
a. Gave thanks and rejoiced. Elkanah was not included in the thanksgiving prayer, but Hannah prayed and sang, “My heart rejoices in the Lord” (2:1, NKJV).
b. Thanks for answer. “You rescued me” (2:1, CEV).
c. Exceeding abundantly. Hannah prayed for one, “You gave me seven” (1 Samuel 1:5, also see Eph. 3:20).
d. Protection. You protect your loyal people” (1:9, CEV).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
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