Note: A resource I used was Breakthrough Prayer by Jim Cymbala.
Title: Breakthrough Prayer
Theme: Show how to Breakthrough Prayer
Text: 1 Samuel 1
Introduction
Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah. There was Peninnah and Hannah. Hannah was the favored wife of Elkanah. Yet she was barren. Peninnah had many children. This caused great stress to Hannah. Peninnah would remind her of her barrenness.
The Bible uses the term “provoke”. Peninnah would provoke, irritate her. It was as a constant nagging or picking. Maybe because she notice the favoritism of Elkanah toward Hannah.
Elkanah would often go to the temple for sacrifice. He would give portions to Peninnah and double portions to Elkanah.
I. “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.”
And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. 6 So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat. 7 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 [3] of the Lord. (1 Samuel 1:9)
And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. (1Sa 1:10)
Jesus teaches us How to Pray in Matthew 6
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:5-15)
If we want to know how to pray this is great but we must know for a fact that I must pray. Prayer is more than a system of events but a relationship with a heavenly Father. Prayer is communication. Talking and listening.
Prayer is a necessity in our lives not because we feel guilty if we don’t but because we feel empty when we neglect prayer.
II. Breakthrough prayers are prayers for the bigger picture.
“thy kingdom come, thy will be done”
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." (1 Samuel 1:11)
Samuel was going to be the next priest. He was replacing Eli. This what happens in the next few chapters. This was a God thing. This was bigger than Hannah having a child at home.
Do you see your need, prayer request as bigger than just an answered prayer?
Prayer sees the bigger picture. This is not about my child being saved it is about a change in the kingdom.
III. “When you are desperate you pray differently.”
And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. (1Sa 1:12)
Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. (1Sa 1:13)
So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!" (1Sa 1:14)
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. (1Sa 1:15)
Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, [4] for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now." (1Sa 1:16)
Praying in the Spirit
First Corinthians 14:15 says, “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.”
Ephesians 6:18 says, “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.”
Jude 20 says, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” So, what exactly does it mean to pray in the Spirit?
Different Prayer Different Results
Acts_4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Eli’s reaction
Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him." (1 Samuel 1:17)
This is an interesting reaction from a man who seemed to be so disconnected from God. Actually it shows that God can use many people.
I have seen God use people who maybe have a light of hope. I mean the Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 3 “that the word of the Lord was rare in those days.” Maybe Eli reached deep inside. Maybe he listened. I not sure.
IV. Real prayer changes you
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. 18) 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. 19) So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, [5] saying, "Because I have asked for him from the Lord." (1 Sa 1:20)
This prayer was first about Hannah. She needed to change her grief. She needed to change her stress. Prayer changes you. If you don’t get up from prayer changed then either don’t get up or get back down again.
V. How? Release the burden to the Lord
Hannah felt relief because she released it unto the Lord. She felt hope now that God had heard her prayer.
Conclusion
It is time to release it to the Lord.
