One heart, one prayer

In the final verse of Judges we read “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). This was the world Hannah lived in. It is the world Jesus entered and the world we live in. What is extraordinary about Hannah’s experience is the way God works in the life of one woman to transform a nation. He did not do it by the visitation of an angel but through Hannah’s broken heart. Hannah was loved but childless. Her story teaches about godliness in an ungodly world. She had a godly and loving husband, Elkanah. But even the best of husbands sometimes gets things wrong. Elkanah thought he was the answer that Hannah needed: “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Elkanah missed the opportunity to accompany his wife into the presence of the Lord to pray together for the child Hannah desperately wanted.

Hannah goes broken-hearted and alone into the presence of God. There was no better place to go. She goes in faith and is willing to give back to God the son who would become her treasured child. What she could not foresee was how God would use her pain to bless a nation that had brought pain to His heart by its unholiness.

Hannah’s approach to God teaches us so much about the power of prayer. Nothing is held back. All her anguish, tears, silent words and sacrificial heart are poured out at the Throne of Grace. What was heard in heaven was misunderstood and unjustly judged by a High Priest who sat down at a distance, not making the effort to go near to Hannah and understand her distress as she spoke: “in her heart”. Hannah’s words rebuke him: “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” (v.15). If there was one person who needed to be the place where Hannah was confessing his failure and pleading for his nation, it was Eli.

But Eli was still the High Priest and able to bless, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” In contrast to Eli, “we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.

Hannah's faith was bold and became radiant, joyful and peaceful, “‘Let your maidservant find favour in your sight’ So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad”.

It is difficult to find in the Old Testament such a clear practical illustration of what Paul and Peter later write,

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Never let us forget God chooses to display His power through our weakness. Let us learn to pour out our souls at the Throne of Grace.