Are We Still A Nation Who Prays?

Hello Bride of Christ,

Over the last several decades, Barna Group Research asserts prayer is the most common spiritual practice among Americans. The content of these prayers consists primarily of gratitude and thanksgiving followed by the needs of our families or communities. As a result, modeling the prayers of Old and New Testament saints.

Hannah, an Old Testament saint, modeled exactly where to go with our sorrow when in bitterness of soul she cried out to the Lord in prayer (1 Samuel 1:10). She held nothing back. Hannah’s grief, sorrow, and anguish filled the words and heart of her prayer. How did the Lord respond? We are told the Lord remembered her (1 Samuel 1:20). The Lord recalled Hannah’s prayer and gave her the desire of her heart.

One disciple, a New Testament saint, sought Jesus to teach him the discipline of prayer. Luke tells us, “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’” (Luke 11:1) Jesus responded by teaching them a model prayer (Luke 11:2-4). He also explained the persistence needed in prayer (Luke 11:5-8). Jesus encouraged His disciples to keep asking, seeking, and knocking through prayer (Luke 11:9-13).

O, Bride of Christ with the war raging around us let us learn from Hannah’s example and take our sorrow to our Lord in prayer. Let us take Jesus’ advice to His disciples and be persistent in asking, seeking, and knocking for God to move. Pray.

Will you join me this month in reading and meditating on Hannah’s prayer of gratitude (1 Samuel 2:1-10)?

Let us continue to be a nation that prays and remembers the God who works all things for good to those who love Him, and who are called according to His purpose.

And Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;

My horn is exalted in the Lord.

I smile at my enemies,

Because I rejoice in Your salvation.

“No one is holy like the Lord,

For there is none besides You,

Nor is there any rock like our God.

“Talk no more so very proudly;

Let no arrogance come from your mouth,

For the Lord is the God of knowledge;

And by Him actions are weighed.

“The bows of the mighty men are broken,

And those who stumbled are girded with strength.

1 Samuel 2: 1-4

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