In his book, All the Women of the Bible, Herbert Lockyer says in regard to Hannah’s prayer that it was a prayer of a peculiar kind. It was a supplication without external speech. Her lips moved but there was no sound. Her prayer was internal, and as she spoke thus to herself she created the impression that she was drunk with wine. She had learned that prayer is the Christian’s native breath, “unuttered or expressed.” While she never said a prayer, “she breathed a wish in her soul and sent it up unspoken right to the throne of God. It is a unique experience for the age of the Judges; the piety of Hannah is a ripe flower in an almost sterile field.”
The power and awe of God to answer our prayers is beyond the explanation of words, and then for God to give us the peace and assurance of answered prayer (I Samuel 1:17) – God is indeed gracious!
While Josh McDowell was attending seminary in California, his father went home to be with the Lord. His mother had died years earlier, but Josh was not sure of her salvation. He became depressed, thinking that she might be lost. Was she a Christian or not? The thought obsessed him. “Lord,” he prayed, “somehow give me the answer so I can get back to normal. I’ve just got to know.” It seemed like an impossible request.
Two days later, Josh drove out to the ocean. He walked to the end of a pier to be alone. There sat an old woman in a lawn chair, fishing. “Where’s your home originally?” she asked.
“Michigan – Union City,” Josh replied. “Nobody’s heard of it. I tell people it’s a suburb of ....” “Battle Creek,” interrupted the woman. “I had a cousin from there. Did you know the McDowell family?”
Stunned, Josh responded, “Yes, I’m Josh McDowell!” “I can’t believe it,” said the woman. “I’m a cousin to your mother.” “Do you remember anything at all about my mother’s spiritual life?” asked Josh. “Why sure – your mom and I were just girls – teenagers – when a tent revival came to town. It was the fourth night. We both went forward to accept Christ.” “Praise God!” shouted Josh, startling the other fishermen.
What to do:
✞ Fret about nothing, pray about everything.
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