Have you ever felt overwhelmed by worry or sadness, finding yourself stuck and unable to move forward? It’s a common human experience to feel paralyzed by life’s challenges. While some may turn to physical activity or distractions to cope, others, like myself, might find themselves frozen, minds racing in endless circles around the problem. This cycle can feel suffocating, deepening with time, making it harder to break free. Recognizing these signals is crucial, and drawing inspiration from biblical figures like Hannah, from the Book of 1 Samuel, can offer a powerful way out.
The book of James wisely asks, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let them pray.” (James 5:13). This simple yet profound advice highlights prayer as a fundamental response to suffering. Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, embodies this wisdom. Her story is not just about prayer in distress but also about praise in joy, as seen in her powerful prayer of gratitude, which resonates with Mary’s Magnificat centuries later.
Are you familiar with Hannah’s story?
Explore Hannah’s Story in 1 Samuel 1-2
In essence, Hannah’s life was marked by deep sorrow. Despite being loved by her husband, Elkanah, she was childless, a source of immense pain in her society. Elkanah’s other wife, Penninah, who had children, used Hannah’s infertility to relentlessly torment her. This constant provocation led Hannah to a state of despair, unable to eat or participate in family festivities. Even her husband’s comfort couldn’t alleviate her sadness.
In her anguish, Hannah turned to prayer. She channeled her pain, hurt, and longing directly to God, finding solace and comfort even before her prayers were answered. As I explored in my book, Becoming Women of the Word, How to Answer God’s Call with Purpose and Joy:
“…it was the intensity of her longing, rightly focused toward God, that set her heart straight. St. Augustine wisely noted that ‘God wills that our desire should be exercised in prayer, that we may be able to receive what he is prepared to give.’ Hannah’s story offers one of the most vivid biblical examples of this kind of prayer. She provides a timeless pattern for faith-filled prayer” (p. 94).
Drawing from Hannah’s powerful narrative, I’ve identified a pattern for faith-filled prayer using the essential questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? These insights are adapted from Becoming Women of the Word, pages 100-104, and are shared here with permission from Ave Maria Press.
Hannah’s Blueprint: Understanding Faith-Filled Prayer Through Key Questions
WHO Should We Pray To?
Hannah directed her prayer to God in her suffering. While she could have sought solace from her husband, Elkanah, or tried to manage her situation independently, she chose to go directly to God. Hannah understood that God was the ultimate source of life and help. In times of trouble, recognizing who to turn to is paramount. Hannah’s example teaches us to seek divine intervention and guidance by approaching God directly.
WHO Are We When We Pray?
Hannah’s self-perception in relation to God is crucial. She refers to herself as the Lord’s “maidservant” three times in a single verse (1 Samuel 1:11). This reveals her humble approach to prayer. She didn’t come to God with demands or a sense of entitlement but approached Him in need, as a servant dependent on her master. Understanding who we are before God—humble servants seeking grace—shapes the posture of our hearts in prayer. It’s about approaching God with humility and dependence rather than arrogance or self-importance.
WHAT Should We Pray For?
Hannah poured out her heart to God, sharing her deepest emotions and desires. Significantly, her prayer wasn’t filled with complaints, accusations, or demands. Instead, she simply articulated her pain and her longing for a son, expressing gratitude in advance for God’s potential gift. What we pray about should stem from our genuine needs and desires, expressed honestly and vulnerably before God, without manipulation or negativity. Hannah teaches us to bring our authentic selves and our true needs to God in prayer.
WHEN Is the Right Time to Pray?
Hannah chose to pray when she was actively feeling the weight of her distress. She didn’t delay or suppress her emotions. After a meal, overwhelmed by her sorrow, she sought a private place to pray. Moreover, the scripture indicates she “continued” to pray, suggesting persistence in her petition. Hannah’s example highlights that the right time to pray is often in the midst of our struggles, not just after they’ve passed. Her persistence also emphasizes the importance of ongoing prayer, not just a one-time request.
WHERE Should We Pray?
Hannah prayed “before the Lord” in Shiloh, at the place where she knew God’s presence could be found – the Ark of the Covenant. Where we pray can also be significant. While God is omnipresent, seeking a dedicated space for prayer can aid focus and devotion. For Hannah, it was a place associated with God’s presence. Today, Christians find such spaces in the “secret place” of personal prayer (Matthew 6:6), in communal gatherings (Matthew 18:20), or in the presence of the Eucharist. The key is to find a space that fosters connection with God.
HOW Should We Pray? From the Heart…
Hannah’s prayer wasn’t a mere formality. She prayed fervently and wholeheartedly, from the depths of her being. How we pray is as important as what we pray for. Hannah’s example emphasizes praying with genuine emotion and passion, engaging our hearts fully in the conversation with God. It’s about more than just reciting words; it’s about connecting with God on a heart level.
…Engaging Our Bodies…
Interestingly, even though Hannah prayed from her heart, “her lips moved” (1 Samuel 1:13). This detail suggests that prayer is not solely an internal exercise. Involving our physical selves in prayer, whether through posture, gestures, or spoken words, can deepen our engagement and lend power to our prayers. How we position our bodies can reflect and enhance our inner disposition of prayer.
…And In Faith, Trusting God
Crucially, Hannah prayed in faith, believing in God’s ability to answer her. She trusted that He heard and understood her need. After praying, she demonstrated her faith by leaving her burden at the altar, placing the entire matter in God’s hands. She left Shiloh, not knowing the answer, but with a sense of peace and she worshiped. How we pray must be rooted in faith and trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty. This means trusting God even when we don’t see immediate answers and believing in His perfect timing and plan.
WHY Should We Pray?
Hannah’s ultimate reason for desiring a child wasn’t purely for personal gratification. Her prayer was intertwined with a spirit of self-sacrifice. She prayed for a son whom she could dedicate back to the Lord. Why we pray reveals our underlying motives. Hannah’s example shows us that prayer can be most powerful when it is aligned with God’s purposes and kingdom, rather than solely focused on personal gain. Seeking God’s will and glory first opens the door for our needs to be met in profound ways.
HOW MUCH Should We Pray?
The scripture notes that Hannah “continued praying before the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:12), even after making her initial vow. This highlights the aspect of persistence in prayer. How much we pray matters. Hannah’s continued prayer demonstrated her earnestness and opened the way for her request to be answered. Waiting with trust and continuing in prayer are vital components of faith-filled prayer.
AND THEN WHAT Happens After Prayer?
Because Hannah was blessed with a son, Samuel, it’s tempting to focus only on answered prayers as a measure of successful prayer. However, the true transformation in prayer is not always about getting what we ask for but about what happens within us. What if God says “no”? It’s easy to lose heart if we view God as a vending machine, dispensing desires on demand.
God is not a cosmic vending machine; He is a loving Father who desires our ultimate good, which is to know and love Him. He knows what is best for us, and in His perfect timing. Even in unanswered prayers or suffering, God promises to work for our good and offers the hope of eternity where pain and sorrow will cease (Revelation 21:4). In Jesus, love, not pain, has the final word.
After Hannah’s prayer, she left with peace, and her countenance changed. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Transformation of the praying heart is the first response to our petition” (CCC 2739). Hannah experienced this inner transformation. She worshiped the next morning and returned home, not knowing the outcome but trusting that the Lord had heard her. She found solace in His loving care.
“Prayer is the best weapon we possess. It is the key that opens the heart of God.” — Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
Let us be inspired by Hannah’s example as we learn to turn to God in our times of need.
© 2020 Sarah Christmyer. Excerpts from Becoming Women of the Word © 2019 Sarah Christmyer. Reprinted with permission of Ave Maria Press, the publisher.
For more on prayer and spiritual growth, visit Sarah’s Blog page and explore the “Prayer & Lectio Divina” category.
Discover more about the women of the Old Testament and their relevance for today in “Becoming Women of the Word,” available at Ave Maria Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and Walmart.
