Thursday, May 10, 2018

SERIES ON PRAYER: HANNAH'S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Outside of the magnificent prayer of Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus, one of the greatest prayers of thanksgiving and adoration, followed the birth of a baby boy who went on to become one of the greatest prophets of God! He was a miracle baby and accomplished what God had ordained. This man was Samuel. 

Samuel's mother Hannah was childless and one of two wives of Elkanah. Year after year, Hannah could come to the temple in Shiloh (Jerusalem was not yet ordained as the Capitol of Israel). She would pray for the Lord to give her a child with such fervor, passion and heartfelt emotion that Eli the head priest thought she was drunk.  Hannah kept praying year after year. She then promised the Lord, that if He gave her a son, she would give the boy back to the Lord, as a servant.

God gave Hannah a son named Samuel, which means "God listened...or requested of God". Hannah kept her promise and dedicated Samuel to the Lord, in the care of Eli the Priest. In joy and gratitude, she prayed this prayer of Thanksgiving, which if read in the correct way, should be a guide to us for both personal growth, as well as intercession for others. 

Hannah's Prayer
Praise & Worship:
1  And Hannah prayed and said,
My heart exults in the Lord;
    my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
    because I rejoice in your salvation.
2 “There is none holy like the Lord:
    for there is none besides you;
    there is no rock like our God.

Acknowledge His Attributes:
3 Talk no more so very proudly,
    let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
    and by Him, actions are weighed.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
    but the feeble bind on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
    but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
    but she who has many children is forlorn.

Acknowledge the Power of God: 6 The Lord kills and brings to life;
    he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
    he brings low and he exalts.
8 He raises up the poor from the dust;
    he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
    and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
    and on them, He has set the world.
9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
    but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
    for not by might shall a man prevail.

The Lord is to be feared...and loved:
10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
    against them,  He will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
    He will give strength to His king
    and exalt the horn of His anointed.” 
(This prayer is found in 1 Samuel 2:1-10)


There are many aspect of this prayer, which if prayed in the spirit, could apply to all men and women. Like all the prayers of the Bible, make it your own and lift up the Name of the Lord. There is nothing more powerful than praying the Scriptures back to the Lord, in engaged, full on, praise and worship. 

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