In 1 Samuel 1 vs 9 to 17, we read about the account of Hannah (mother of the prophet Samuel). Unable to bear children, Hannah came sorrowfully before the Lord in prayer to ask for a son. The way in which she prayed is a beautiful example of true and honest conversation with God our Father. There was no booming voice or eloquent words, just a heart and soul bared before the Lord.
We read in 1 Samuel 1 vs 10 – And she was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Like Hannah, we can be honest with the Lord about our feelings when we pray, even when we are bitter and angry; hurt, sad, depressed, discouraged, anxious or fearful. We can even weep and cry before Him like Hannah did.
1 Samuel 1 vs 13 says: Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard…” This verse tells us that we don’t have to pray loudly to be heard. God heard Hannah even though her pray was whispered. She spoke from her heart and God saw all that was there because God looks at the heart. That is why we need to be honest and sincere in our hearts when we pray. Prayer should come from the heart. We should mean what we say. We should not just speak eloquent words that we’ve heard pastors use because they sound impressive, or we become like the Pharisees (Matthew 6 vs 5). I believe that God honoured Hannah’s prayer because of her honesty and sincerity.
We read in 1 Samuel 1 vs 15 – But Hannah answered and said, “… I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Like Hannah, we can pour out our souls before the Lord. We never have to pretend when we are with Him because He already knows what is in our hearts.
From Hannah, we learn that 1) we can be honest with God in our feelings even when they are negative ones, 2) we don’t need to pray loudly or impressively; we just need to be sincere and honest with God when we pray because He looks at our hearts; and 3) we can pour out our hearts and souls to the Lord – we can tell Him everything because He is our Abba Father, our Heavenly Dad.