There are pictures of prayer in The Word. Sometime we need to see prayer in action to truly learn how to pray. Hannah is one of my greatest teachers about prayer. We need people like Hannah who pour out their soul in prayer and birth and bathe ministries in prayer. She didn’t just have a son… she birthed a great prophetic ministry in her son Samuel.

I first preached this message as part of series called “You Can’t Keep Me Down When God Lifts Me Up.”

Hannah Pours Out Her Soul In Prayer — 1 Samuel 1:12-18

12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

Two Places where Jesus weeps as recorded in the Bible:

With Mary and Martha after Lazarus Death: John 11:35 — Jesus wept.

Approaching Jerusalem and foreseeing its coming destruction: Luke 19:41 — As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.