‘’Prayers Changes Things’’
By: Lynne Conley
Scripture Text: Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. (Psalm 102:1 KJV)
Every year the Israelites were required to offer a sacrifice to God. This was after the Israelites settled in the Promised Land. The tabernacle was set up in a place called Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices to God. Elkanah had two wives: one was Hannah and the other was Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Elkanah and Hannah went every year to offer a sacrifice to God. In the Word of God, it records, ‘’ 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. And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:’’
(I Samuel 1: 3-4 KJV) Elkanah loved Hannah, and he gave her worthy portions. Hannah was so sorrowful that she didn’t have any children. Peninnah was her adversary; she made her fret because she didn’t have any children. Every year Peninnah tormented Hannah causing her to weep. Hannah would be so upset that she couldn’t eat, and her husband asked her why she was crying.
In the Word of God it records ‘’ 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.
And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth’’. (1st Samuel 1:11, 12 KJV)God did grant Hannah’s request for a son. She named her son Samuel which means “ask of God.” Samuel grew in the ministry of the temple, and God blessed Samuel. In those days for a woman not to bear children was a disgrace and the woman would be looked down on. But when Hannah went to the Lord with an earnest heart, she put her trust in the Lord that he would answer this prayer.
Today we need to do the same. Go to the Lord and entrust to him our needs and have the faith that He will answer our prayers. But remember some prayers are not answered overnight; God works in His own time. So, be patient and expect your blessing. Stay Encouraged!
