OK, I’m blogging from my blackberry so excuse any mistakes 🙂
I’m studying 1 Samuel at the moment, and I must say, it is quite a lot!
Today’s excerpt is from 1 Sam. 1:13-17 (NKJV)
13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” 15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” 17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”
Keys verse being verse 16: Until now, I have spoken out of my complaint and grief.
This verse struck me so much because I believe that many times we actually think we’re praying, but we’re actually just complaining. It wasn’t until Hannah stopped praying from her complaint, and started praying out of prayer that God granted her request. This even follows in line with my last blog about throwing tantrums and expecting God to move…
Prayer is an act of humility, worship, service, and adoration. It’s you telling God “I need You! I’m lost and hopeless and worthless without You! I acknowledge Your supremacy, do what only You can do, but above all let Your perfect will be done!”
Complaining, especially in prayer, is an act of pride and distrust. It’s you telling God “how could You!? Do you not see what this is doing to “ME”? “I” deserve better!, Why “ME”, “I’ve” been “faithful” why aren’t You doing your part here!?”
See the difference?
Thing is, to all those questions, God would respond:
~Why can’t I?
~So what? Do YOU not see how others and you will be blessed from this?
~You don’t deserve better, you derserve hell, and condemnation, and judgement and death. You deserve to be slain on a cross, but I sent my precious Son Jesus to do that for YOU
~Why NOT you?
~Really!? You only seem to remember when it suits you…
Remember what happened to the children of Israel when they were in the wilderness complaining and their murmurings reached God; 40 days turned into 40 years..
Maybe this is the reason you’re still in that situation…….
God is faithful. He know’s what He’s doing.
Stop complaining and start praying 🙂
Makes sense!!
I learnt about solemnity (If such word exist)and precision from her story.
I’m coming from a society(church) where u must “shout” ur prayers “repeatedly” for God to answer which didn’t work for her.
It was her silent groaning and precise request that got her prayers answered….
Keep it coming..nice one!