Principles-4-Progress 1

Principles-4-Progress (1 of 3) Objective… To plant seeds of healthy spiritual rhythms, that create a rich and fulfilling relationship with God.

Prayer: Pouring Our Your Heart

1 Samuel 1:9-18 (verse 15) NLT… Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. ¹⁰ Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. ¹¹ And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.” ¹² As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her. ¹³ Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. ¹⁴ “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!” ¹⁵ “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. ¹⁶ Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.” ¹⁷ “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” ¹⁸ “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

Introduction: When we leave our pity parties, and learn to pray for our needs, God wants to and will provide.

Transition: Prayer works if you work it! What do you do when your back is against the wall, when you have no place to turn, and you’ve reached your extremity?

Exposition: Hannah’s prayer is composed of at least three facets…

Pain… verse 10 We pray from the posture of pain, because it is an unfortunate motivator.

Plea… verse 11 God honors covenants! References… 2 Chronicles 7:14; John 15:7; Revelation 3:20.

Peace… verses 17-18 Your peace isn’t found in an answer, but it’s found in the process!

Challenge: Whatever your heaviest weight is, for the next 5 days (because 5 is the number of grace/God’s goodness toward humanity) pray that God has mercy, promise to be committed to growing as a disciple and to kingdom development, and live confidently in God’s peace until there’s progress. Watch God change things!