By Lisa Wilmore
Scripture: There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite[a] from the hill country of Ephraim… He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none… Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the LORD’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head…” “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…”
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, (1 Samuel 2: 1-18).
My Dear Friends,
When your hurt is so deep, and your desire for something positive to happen in your lives is so strong, “Bathe your problem in prayer. This is what Hannah did-she prayed, as mentioned in the aforementioned text. Most of us have read or heard the biblical account preached of when Hannah prayed to God for a son. Yes, my friends, God heard and answered her prayer.
Interestingly, it is a known fact that problems will come your way. There is no way around it. None of us will escape problems from “seeping in” one way or the other. Most importantly, it is essential that we take our problems to God in prayer. He is the only ONE who can change conditions. Always, “Bathe your problems in prayer.” Trust HIM to work it out for you.
