Hi
Today’s Holy Nougat comes as two Nougats. I pray you have a great chew. Good morning
“I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me?” Psalms 6:3 NLT
and
““In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”” 1 Samuel 1:17 NLT
In one sense, these two Nougats are unrelated. But their interrelatedness is fairly clear. When visiting the temple yet again, Hannah wept bitter tears in prayer before God. And although David’s prayer was likely to be one generation later (if he originally penned it); its heart cry echoed Hannah’s state of mind.
Some time later, Eli the priest, having heard her genuineness; offers a blessing – intercessory prayer on her behalf. It was just the word Hannah needed in the moment.
True, the conversation began with confusion. Nevertheless it ended with a blessing. Her prayer started with anguish and ended with a covenant! Sometimes, having someone ‘touch and agree’ with our heart’s cry is the confirmation we need that God has heard us. That’s the power of intercession.
Especially when it is God’s Spirit Who intercedes with and for us. The Spirit of God does know the state of our hearts and will not mistake our prayers – happy, sad or even bitter – for drunkenness!
Today, I offer you, my dears, a few things to chew on
1. When our hearts are overwhelmed, praying helps
2. When someone is acting out of sorts, even when we don’t have all details, we can pray
3. Although it is good to have someone join us, no human can fully articulate our tears as our own tears can (God collects our tears)
4. A prayer begun in lament can end in covenant and praise
5. The Spirit of God is amazing at deciphering our prayers and transforming them to personal intercession
Whatever you are going through, may the Lord of Hosts grant the request you have asked for today.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
