DON’T JUST STAND THERE – PRAY SOMETHING
1 SAM. 1:26-28
Prayer is serious business!!
When it comes to praying, many find themselves without, because of the fact that prayer is not a priority in your life.
Prayer should be as common as putting on your clothes. Each day those that are called by His name should not have to remember to pray, but prayer should come natural in your daily walk.
There is a rule when it comes to prayer:
Little prayer – few blessings / much prayer - many blessings.
When your prayer life is not what it should be -- many times christians miss out on what God has to offer.
Think about it: When you fail to talk to your Father, whom has all that you need, how much one can suffer. Matt. 7:7a Ask and it shall be given you .. . . And I believe that James must have been standing around when Matthew spoke those words, for he went on to say in James 4:2b – Ye have not because ye ask not.
This should lead us to believe that – we have not that inwhich we need, because we fail to ask God. Perhaps you may be things I have all that I need. . . WELL, needs go farther than material goods. . As we live from day to day we find that there are other necessities that God will give.
If you need Joy – Ask God
If you are looking for peace – Ask God
If love is lacking – Ask God
If you are short on patience – Ask God
If trouble is in your way – Ask God
If there are problems in your life – Ask God
If you are lonely – Ask God
If you find yourself crying – Ask God
If your body is in need of a healing – Ask God
If your soul need saving – Ask God
When you ask God – then truly you can join in with Paul in Phil. 4:19 in saying: But my God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory.
So don’t just stand there – pray something
In our text this hour – Hannah – was a true believer in God and in Prayer
There was man named Elkanah. . . Elkanah had two wives .. . One named Peninnah and the other named Hannah. . . . Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. I feel I need to stop here and advise you that God will suffer you not to have – so that you can learn to lean and depend on Him. . .
Every year Elkannah would go up to the temple at Shiloh to worship and sacrifice. During this time Elkannah would issue portions or provisions to his wives. . .To Peninnah – Elkannah would give enough for her – and her sons and daughters – But because of his love for Hannah – Elkannah would give her a worthy portion. . . .
But I’ve found that sometimes you can receive an abundance of material things – but this does not satisfy that inner yearning to satisfy the soul. There are somethings that only prayer can suffice.
Notice in v-5,6 how others will treat you when they learn that you are in need. . .
Peninnah had children – but Hannah womb was shut up and she had no children . . . Because of this — Peninnah would meddle and provoke Hannah. I need you to notice also that – there is no certain place that people will provoke you or talk about you. . . You will be talked about in the church – you will be talked about in the street – you will be talked about at home – LOOK where this provoking took place – It was in the Church. . . In Hebrew times it was considered a curse for a woman to be childless – and can’t you hear Peninnah sounding like satan when he come to you intimidating you for what you don’t have. . . . Can’t you hear him telling you to turn your back on God – God is not going to bless you —
All this provoking caused Hannah to cry – to loose her appetite – Have you ever been there?
Will cause you to want to be by yourself – not talk to anyone – Have you ever been there?
But when we find ourselves in this manner – we ought to all be like Hannah – Don’t just stand there – pray something. . . .
When you don’t allow provoking to hinder you – God will send someone by to encourage you.
In v-8 Hannah’s husband was concerned – saying to her — Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
Look at Hannah in V-9 – after they had eaten and drank at Shiloh – Hannah rose up and went back to church. . . . In order to get out – you must first get up –
If you’re tired of what’s going on in your life – rise up and do something
Hannah got up and went to the church – crying and praying — She didn’t come with a proud mind – BUT she came to God in the posture of prayer and with the attitude of a contrite heart.
If you’ve ever wondered why sometime after you leave altar prayer do different than when you came – I need to serve notice that perhaps you are coming the wrong way. When it comes to prayer – It’s not about why you came – but about how you come. . . . When you come tell God what you want — don’t just stand there – Pray something – Hannah asked the Lord – If you give me a male child – I’ll give him back to you for as long as he lives
Hannah got up to pray something – Hannah went with realness in spirit
When you come to prayer in Faith – God will allow you leave with Joy – v-18 says that after Hannah had finished praying – she left the temple and did eat — and her countenance was no more sad. . . . . How many know that God will answer prayer
In v-19,20 — And Elkanah knew his wife and the Lord remembered her – and when the time came – she conceived and bare a boy child
When Jesus was hanging on the Cross – He didn’t just hang there – but He prayed something
Father – Father – forgive them
