By Jordan Stone
For many people (Christians and non-Christians) the idea of praying with emotion is a foreign concept. The examples of prayer that they see and hear are far from emotional, yet Scripture is full of emotional cries to the Lord - just read the Psalms. For this post's purposes I would like to focus on the prayer of Hannah.
Hannah's story is found in 1 Samuel and here is a quick overview . . . Hannah was deeply devoted to her husband Elkanah, but the Lord had closed her womb (1 Samuel 1:5) and she was childless. Year after year went by and still no child was given, yet she continually and earnestly sought the Lord in prayer. So earnest in fact that one time the temple priest Eli mistook her passionate prayers for drunkenness. "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. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." (1 Samuel 1:15-16)
Eli then tells her to go in peace and, "may the God of Israel grant what you have asked of him." (1 Samuel 1:17) Sure enough the Lord opens her womb and blesses her with a son named Samuel. Let us notice her response in chapter 2:
Then Hannah prayed and said:
"My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
For many people (Christians and non-Christians) the idea of praying with emotion is a foreign concept. The examples of prayer that they see and hear are far from emotional, yet Scripture is full of emotional cries to the Lord - just read the Psalms. For this post's purposes I would like to focus on the prayer of Hannah.
Hannah's story is found in 1 Samuel and here is a quick overview . . . Hannah was deeply devoted to her husband Elkanah, but the Lord had closed her womb (1 Samuel 1:5) and she was childless. Year after year went by and still no child was given, yet she continually and earnestly sought the Lord in prayer. So earnest in fact that one time the temple priest Eli mistook her passionate prayers for drunkenness. "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. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." (1 Samuel 1:15-16)
Eli then tells her to go in peace and, "may the God of Israel grant what you have asked of him." (1 Samuel 1:17) Sure enough the Lord opens her womb and blesses her with a son named Samuel. Let us notice her response in chapter 2:
Then Hannah prayed and said:
"My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
"There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God."
In the prayers of Hannah hear a heart that yearns for the Lord. Hear a child-like cry for His presence. Hear a woman who overflows with joy uncontainable. Hear that God is good. May our prayers be tinged with emotion that comes from a heart that has been ruined by the goodness and mercy of our Great God.
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