BE DOERS OF THE WORD". James 1:22
"The Benefits of Doing the word ". Deuteronomy 28:1-2
09/12/2012
Preacher: Rev. Aaron Ndirmbita
Topic: Answers to Prayers are Received
Text: 1 Samuel
The subject of prayer is very important at all season. It is true that the most obedient child and servant received the most attention of their parents and masters respectively. Likewise, The Lord's faithfuls who are obedient to Him will also attract His attention, and will always receive answers to their prayer.
The kind of prayer that Hannah offered at Shiloh was based on a close walking relationship with God (vs 3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. KJV)
More so, her prayer was also anchored on her dear need of a child at that moment and her pains was so grievous that even her husband who was so close to her at that material time could not be able to comfort her. (vs 6-7 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. KJV)
Our prayer becomes more sincere, honest when we are confronted with trouble. When we find ourselves in hopeless situations we should not seek help else where but put our trust in The Lord
How did Hannah prayed?
She recognized that the house of The Lord is a point of prayer, therefore she took advantage of the opportunity and utilized it maximally by pouring out her concerns before The Lord (vs 9-10 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. KJV)
We are encouraged to indulge in the habit of visiting the temple of The Lord always, as the moment we come into the presence of The Lord in His glorious temple, we are conscious and will condition our mind to pour out our heart burdens before Him
She also poured out her heart unusually to the point the priest mistaken her devotion to drunkenness (vs 10; 13-14 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.)
We should not always depend on the prayer offered by others for us but we should make up our minds to be prayer warriors as well, hence we need to grow in The Lord and mature spiritually
The man of God (clergies) can not understand the magnitude of your situation as serious issues requires serious prayer. Hannah understood such principle very well as she was deeply moved by her situation which troubled her spirit that led her to offer a serious prayer of faith and devotion (vs 14-15 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.)
She prayed with a promise to glorify The Lord and not to satisfy her selfish gain. In like manner, if we want our prayers to be answered, then, we should ensure we do such with the intention to glorify The Lord and not for our own gains as the motives behind our prayer determine weather our prayer will be answered or not. (vs 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. KJV) (James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. KJV)
We should learn to maximize the opportunity at our disposal, knowing the fact that most of the wonders and miracles in the Bible are as a result of sincere, honest and genuine prayers of God's own people, there is no miracles without prayer and faith accompanied
If you live by the will of God, you will have confidence to pray
Further more, If you live by the will of God, your prayer will be answered (1 Samuel 2:1-2 And Hannah prayed, and said,My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. KJV)
And when your prayer is answered you will live happily and joyfully. Hannah cast here burdens and cares on The Lord because she knows The Lord cares (vs 18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. KJV)
When you pray to God believe it knowing that He will answer us in due season
