Focus: You'll See Your Prayers!

Text: 1Sam.1:27

"For THIS child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him."

Hannah was in deep need of a child. It is a long story of all that she went through in her marriage being childless for years. But it came a day when she decided to take her case to the Lord. She prayed out of a broken heart. She had pain in her heart and tears in her eyes. Her burden was deep and her heart, heavy.

In the presence of the Lord she prayed, believing and expecting. Eli the priest of God said to her "Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him." On the day she came back to the house of God, she said to Eli, "I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD." Hannah returned to the same ground where she had poured her heart out to the Lord, and on that same spot she testified of what the Lord had done for her as a result of her prayer. She stood in the same place where she had prayed, carrying her miracle-child in her hand and presenting him to the Lord. She says, "For this child I prayed…" 

The chapter started by telling us that Hannah had no children, and the reason being that the Lord had shut up her womb (1Sam.1:2,5). She took her case to the one who was alleged to have closed her womb - God Himself. Indeed God responded to her, for we read that "Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her" (1Sam.1:19). God, who made and owned the womb of a woman, swung into action and touched her womb in response to her prayers.

I prophesy to you: you will, any moment from now, see your prayer and carry your answer in your hands.

You will be able to say like Hannah, "For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him." Your prayers shall not go unanswered. As you delight yourself in the Lord, He will grant you the desires of your heart. After Samuel came other children from the womb of Hannah. God turned her story around, transformed her troubles into trophies and her agony into glory. Samuel, her miracle-child, became the seer, judge and leader of Israel. He became a great asset to God's people. He guided them well and taught them the ways and laws of God. Hannah was not possessive of Samuel, but handed him over to God to fulfill a divine destiny. You will see your prayers and testify to the glory of God. Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter