Good afternoon sisters and brothers,
We
continue the story of Hannah today. We read yesterday how Hannah was
upset because she wasn't able to have children and because her husband's
other wife mocked her about that. In today's reading she goes to the
temple to pray. Her prayer is so passionate that Eli, the priest there,
thinks she is drunk. I love Hannah's passion in prayer. As a pastor I
also appreciate that Eli makes a mistake, but that even then, God can
bring ministry out of that conversation. May your prayer life be strong
today.
God bless,
Sam
1 Samuel 1:9-18
9After
they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself
before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the
doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. 11She
made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of
your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will
give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a
nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor
intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.”
12As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” 15But
Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have
drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul
before the Lord. 16Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” 17Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” 18And
she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman
went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her
countenance was sad no longer.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
"May God grant your petition"
Labels:
child,
Eli,
Hannah,
ministry,
mistake,
mocking,
oppression,
passionate prayer,
prayer,
Samuel
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