By: Rev. Arnel Tan
“Sir do you remember me? Hannah asked. “I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord.”
1 Samuel 1:26 NLT
In many ways, Hannah modeled to us the importance of prayer. From her life, we learn to bring all our sorrows to the Lord. I think it was not an accident that she did not bring her burden to Eli, the priest, who was at that time, sitting at his usual post, waiting for people to pray for. Perhaps, Hannah knew that her problem needed more than a man of God… she needed to talk to God directly! It is a remarkable display of spiritual maturity when God’s people grow dependent on God and not on His servants. In Christ, we who have trusted Him as Lord and Savior, have full access to the throne of grace. It is in this throne where we pour out our hearts and it is also here that we receive mercy from God. Honestly, our access to the God’s throne of grace today is far better than during Hannah’s time, yet so few of God’s children pray… really pray.
No one wants to be sorrowful or add to the problems one already has, yet mysteriously, these unwanted problems are royal invitations… so we can be ushered to the throne of grace. Without these problems, most of us would not have learned how to pray. The moment a child of God, or a sinner, calls on God in truth, solutions to our problems are not instantaneous. One thing is true… God draws near and draws close to those who call on Him. During those stormy times, God’s Presence becomes our refuge and rest… so we can go through it all. His Presence is more than enough!
In prayer, we come to Him, not as perfect individuals but needy ones. Honestly, due to the intense pain of the soul, our words may not be enough nor pleasant. It is here where we say a lot of things we don’t really mean. When we release the venom of a wounded soul, it does not look perfect… in fact, it is messy. God understands the mess and honors the brokenness of the heart which is learning a fresh lesson of surrender. Hannah did not only bring her sorrow to God in prayer, she also learned surrender… meaning, she no longer demands; no longer wants short cuts; no longer seeks revenge; no longer is in a hurry and no longer controlling.
“Hannah prayed” may be a short inscription… but it is a loaded one. Prayer brought her to depths of communion with God and taught her the joy of surrender… and ultimately prepared her to receive her granted request. What is remarkable is that Hannah no longer needed sorrow to bring her to God. Even God’s surprise of giving her a son brought her back to God—who is greater than any surprise! ‘Hannah prayed’… ‘Jesus prayed’… ‘the early church prayed’… and when you and I pray, we step into a loaded journey of surrender and surprise. Amen.
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