Nougat 28

Yesterday, we noted that Hannah PUSHed forward in prayer. But at the point we left her, nothing happened. In Today’s Holy Nougat, we discover whether something happened.

‭1 Samuel 1:12-14 NIV‬

[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.”

The Power and Place of Prayer

PUSHing Past Pride and Pain

Like the widow who was petitioning the unjust judge, Hannah desired audience with one who could transform her situation. She bypassed the middle man however, and went directly to God for herself. In our present dispensation, we might say she was praying in the Spirit. Whether that was the case or not, she was definitely ‘praying in secret, so that her God would reward her openly’ (see Matthew 6:6). She made her way to the Secret Place, making her petition clear! Hence, her lips moved, but no one knew what she was saying!

Siblings, her action is very significant, as the Levites (priests) usually made intercession for the community. But, we see Hannah reaching out to God by herself, entering as it were the Holy of Holies (figuratively), making a vow for herself with God, praying with an expectation of change. That’s a formula worth adopting!

I don’t think however, that she expected the first reaction – the priest accusing her of drunkeness! How would you have responded? In the moment, I might respond differently, but I feel that my blood would boil (as we say in Jamaica), i.e., take offence, and my response to the priest would have been sharp.

But Hannah recognised the test. She knew what she wanted to happen. She was also conscious of who was asking such questions. Siblings, when we pray to God, particularly during/after a fast, we ought not be surprised by distractions. In Luke 4, we see Jesus Himself tempted while fasting. If Jesus was not spared from the test, He Whom the devil knew was the Son of the One True and Living God, recognize that we are not likely to be exempt.

Distractions come in many forms. It could be the ‘hater ‘, who comes with words to trash our dreams. It may be the interruption by a mobile phone, someone choosing that moment for a quarrel, or something suddenly turning up in the season. We cannot allow ourselves to be despondent or distracted by such. Rather, let us prepare ourselves to remain focused on the Word of God and being attuned to the Living Word, Jesus Christ.

What are the distractions we’re facing as we pray? Can we identify them? If we can identify the distraction (not the person), then we can move past it. How? That’s the subject of another reflection.

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May all we seek be found in Christ