Today’s Devotion
Topic: Prayer Of Desperation
(Self Assessment 167)
Part 2
Background: Last week we discussed the disturbing situation that moved a woman called Hannah into prayer.
You will recall that although her husband, Elkanah, was very affectionate towards her, his other wife, Peninnah who had children was not at all. Year after year, when they go up to Shiloh to offer sacrifices, Peninnah will provoke Hannah till she is so sad and unable to enjoy the fellowship.
However this particular year was going different because Hannah refused to drown in self pity and sorrow. When they all took rest from the day’s activities, she went into prayer and begged God for a son. She also vowed to give the boy back for the service of the Lord.
Let us continue from there to see what transpired after Hannah’s desperate prayer for a child. Kindly call the family together, IT’S TIME TO STUDY THE WORD OF GOD!
Text: 1 Sam 1: 12- 18
12
As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”
15 “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. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. Amen
Questions:
1. Kindly read verses 12- 13 again. How do you interpret Hannah’s prayer ? In other words, describe how Hannah prayed and explain what such prayers reveal about the person praying and (or) the situation he/she may find themselves?
2. Read those same verses 12- 13 again. How often do pastors and church leaders get it wrong when a person’s conduct in the presence of God does not appear to be as ‘conventional’ as they have been trained to see as acceptable?
3. Kindly read verse 14 again. Eli did not only consider Hannah as drank but want on to suggest she was a drunkard. What are some of the ways Pastors can adapt to avoid ‘labelling’ members as ‘unserious’ just because they did something different from what they (the Men of God) expect or are used to?
4. In reading verse 15 again, what can you say about Hannah’s response to Eli’s hasty conclusion about her person? Do you think those words hurt her feelings especially coming from a Man of God?
5. In verse 16 Hannah told the priest, “Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I HAVE BEEN PRAYING HERE OUT OF MY GREAT ANGUISH AND GRIEF”. What does praying out of great anguish and grief mean or even look like?
6. In verse 17, Eli did an incredible thing. What was it that He did and what will be its significance to Hannah’s prayer and desire for a child?
7. How can you describe Hannah’s attitude after her prayer and Eli’s declaration (verse 18). What does this attitude imply and what can we learn from it?
8. What have you learnt from today’s discussion?
Kindly reply through this same social media platform (Facebook & WhatsApp). We learn a great deal from the answers you share with us.
Make a date with us next week for the continuation.
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