Mellissa

You would thing that once a person has applied to 11 count them 11 different positions at the same place of employment in less than 4 months time without a phone call for interviews for jobs that they are qualified for, that person would just give up, but NOOOO because I am either the dumbest person in the world, or glutten for punishment. they can't pick someone else forever, can they???

And The She Just Sent This To ME:

One Door Closes..Another Opens Revelations 3:8 When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! 'The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. If you believe, send it. If you don't believe, delete it. God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close...

I told my mom about Preemie Print's today

This was the last email I sent back to her after showing her the website. She was really excited. I only told her today because she started talking about babies and hearing this story of a former Planned Parenhood Director who is now a pro life advocate. I had listened to the same story about a week ago. I figured that was the Angels way of telling me to go ahead and tell her about what I've been up to. Look at the time I sent this email:

11:10 AM (0 minutes ago)

Thanks mom. God is leading the way maybe we are going to do this together, which would be awesome. Before going to friends/family and opening those doors I guess what I'm trying to do is establish credibility by actually working, meeting with people, taking pictures and accumulating stories. March of Dimes and Hand to Hold were two big exciting stories. Both well established charities who love the idea. I want it to be up and running before I spread the word to everyone I know via facebook/email etc. I think in the past that is where I've started so since I feel like this may be a long term endeavor I want to go about it differently. However, if you have any specific contacts that we know ie... Monica...by all means spread the word. I would absolutely love to get into TX children's and Ronald McDonald's both of those would be places that always had families that could benefit. With Ronald McDonald if we could get a meeting with her (Kathy) I think that's all it would take. I could always put together another page devoted specifically to that sector if need be. I just want to focus on preemies and then add others in and if that means expanding the website I will for sure to that. You know I'd venture to say a lot NOT ALL of the children with childhood illnesses were probably preemies anyway. Honestly, once we get into helping those kinds of places and lots of people the fundraising and this foundation would probably be a huge success. Maybe next year we could put on a big fundraiser or something who knows. Only God. Anyway I'd say spread the word to anyone in particular you think can help get the ball rolling, any pregnancy places around Richmond as well, churches, etc. but other than that we can keep it on the "down low" until we are up and running :D 

Who Is Your Angel?

http://www.angelhaven.com/aod/

Amber's:


Born: Sunday
Presiding ArchAngel: Michael
Assignation: Protection
Daily Affirmation: "I am committed to all that God intends for me and the universe."


Celestial Title: Angel of Patience

Archangel Michael is committed to seeing to it that each and everyone of us reaches their full potential as intended by God. He is considered one of the great Chaldean Princes, christened as one of the greatest of all the angels and his kingdom is all inclusive of everything on Earth. He will do all that he can to protect the path, eliminating evil as a part of keeping the journey directed. His greatest gift to us is the energy he transmits within us; a positive force that leaves peace, love and beauty in its aftermath.

His presence is fairly easy to detect by simply taking an assessment of your own spiritual growth. If it has been growing exponentially over a short period of time, if opportunities to grow spiritually are being put before you like a banquet or if your appetite for spiritual knowledge has increased, you can rest assured that Michael is working diligently to feed you. He is committed to you and your spiritual destiny for it is his own.

Michael is a true spiritual Warrior; the one you should summon when the challenge seems a bit overwhelming. Give him the pleasure of coming to your rescue. Open your heart and soul to his tremendous strength and power. God’s presence reigns mightily within his spirit.

Associations & Assignments

Like any entity charged with duties and responsibilities, Archangels have certain associations of creation that are engraved in the very fibers of their etheric being. They are handed specifics to govern. Its these assignments that bring them into this dimension where they can participate with us.

Celestial Order: Seraphim
Day: Watches over those born Sunday
Chakra: Root (1st)
Color: Crimson
Planetary assignment: The Spirit of the planet Mercury
Main Issue: Survival, Physical/Spiritual needs
Sense: Exultation
Fragrances/Incense/Oils: Myrrh, Cedar wood, Patchouli
Crystals: Hematite, Tiger"s Eye, Bloodstone
Life Lesson: Standing up for oneself
Altar Suggestions: Red rose, a scarlet ribbon, a miniature crimson velvet pillow, a garnet necklace, a tiger’s eye or bloodstone paperweight, a hematite sculpture, Myrrh perfume oil and of course�a Prayer Chest.

Eden and Pryscilla's:


Born: Saturday
Presiding ArchAngel: Cassiel
Assignation: Creative Power
Daily Affirmation: "I am grateful for seas of wonder & significance"

Celestial Title: Angel of Temperance

Archangel Cassiel, Accessing the Source is his specialty. He is a manifestor born out of the understanding of desire. 'De Sire' meaning of God. He holds the power to create new realities quickly. Divine light swirls around and through this angel for he knows how to harness it so exquisitely that only greatness transpires from the vision to the physical.

Cassiel is drawn to divine frequencies and consequently presides over dolphins, and other oceanic life. Water is a divine conductor and Cassiel gathers its energy by product using it to cleanse away feelings of negativity leaving clarity available to heal, feel and reveal. Cassiel asks you to give thanks for all your blessings and in return bestows upon you the power to share your spiritual gifts with others.

Cassiel will draw you into places of worship; places where the divine is strongly present. You will feel Cassiel’s presence out on the open sea, under a large oak tree, on the streets of sacred grounds (Ephesus, pyramids) and in the sanctity of your own prayer circle.

Associations & Assignments

Like any entity charged with duties and responsibilities, Archangels have certain associations of creation that are engraved in the very fibers of their etheric being. They are handed specifics to govern. It’s these assignments that bring them into this dimension where they can participate with us.

Celestial Order: Seraphim
Day: Watches over those born on Saturday
Chakra: Crown (7th)
Color: Violet, gold, white
Planetary assignment: Governs Saturn but spends a lot of time on Earth
Main Issue: Spirituality
Sense:Beyond Self
Fragrances/Incense/Oils: Lavender, Frankincense, Rosewood
Crystals: Amethyst, Clear quartz, Diamond
Life Lesson: Selflessness
Altar suggestions: A smooth glass vase containing fresh white and violet flowers; a spiritual gift from a loved one; a diamond or clear crystal gem to enhance spiritual communication; clear glass bowl of water containing iridescent glass pebbles and rose floating candles; single white taper candle; clear quartz crystal; prayer or message book and of course, a Prayer Chest.

Beka's:


Born: Friday
Presiding ArchAngel: Uriel
Assignation: Ministration
Daily Affirmation: "I am of the Sun and never without the light of God."

Celestial Title: Archangel of Salvation

Archangel Uriel ("fire of God") Uriel started drawing attention early on his career as he has been identified through the ages as both a cherub ( a toddler) and as a seraph or seraphim (a more mature angel). His earliest account of rising to the occasion is best described in the book of Revelation for his role as Regent of the Sun. He called forth the birds to feast upon the fallen in supporting the cycle of life. He later warned Noah of the impending flood. Fortunately for Noah and all of us, Raphael stepped in to help build the ark. Uriel is the spirit of Ministration and Peace; always saving the day. The Magus claims that Uriel gave the cabala to man; 'the key to the mystical interpretation of scripture'. His mission is to help you manifest stability and relief from life’s pressures when there doesn’t seem to be any. If you are open to Uriel’s assistance, he’ll be there in a heartbeat. Cry out for God and like all archangels he can travel faster than the speed of light; meaning he can get from one end of the universe to the other in less than a one second. That’s why he’s sometimes in many places at once. He views his role of responsibility as one that manifests your quest to be your best; seeing to it that you shine in everything you do, just like the sun.

Associations & Assignments

Like any entity charged with duties and responsibilities, Archangels have certain associations of creation that are engraved in the very fibers of their etheric being. They are handed specific scrolled items to govern. Its these assignments that bring them into this dimension where they can participate with us.

Celestial Order: Seraphim
Day: Watches over those born on Friday
Chakra: Third Eye (6th)
Color: Indigo or powder blue
Planetary assignment: Checks in on Mars regularly
Main Issue: Intuition, Wisdom
Sense: Sixth sense
Fragrances/Incense/Oils: Hyacinth, Violet, Rose geranium
Crystals: Amethyst, Fluorite, Azurite
Life Lesson: Emotional intelligence
Altar suggestions: A gilded mirror with candle holder reflecting light; oil burner containing Rose geranium; Tarot Card depicting justice; piece of Amethyst, to encourage visionary abilities; indigo-colored mandala; a dream-catcher; small pottery bowl, for wisdom, favorite lamp and of course, a Prayer Chest.

An Email From Beka

I am just sending you a few of the main things that i really liked out of the page you sent me to read! 


As Christians, we are living in dangerous times in this country—times that lull us into a sense of complacency and false security. There is no war or plague; we have a vibrant economy, with a tax surplus of over two hundred billion dollars; and there is adequate health care for all people. Why should anyone pray when there is no perceived need? Like the church of Laodicea, we tell ourselves, "We are rich; we have acquired wealth, and we do not need a thing." Self-sufficient people do not pray. But according to Psalm 14:4, those who do not call upon the Lord are evildoers.

Prayer is the spiritual breathing of God’s children.


But one year, while the family was at Shiloh for worship, Hannah was guided by the Holy Spirit to get up and go to the tabernacle, which represented the presence of God. In a flash she was guided to pour out her heart in prayer to the living God of Israel. She began to realize what even her husband did not realize, that prayer is power, that prayer prevails, and that prayer is effectual. She told herself, "I know God will hear my prayer and help me when no human being can do so." So we read in 1 Samuel 1:10, "In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord."

IT IS CRAZY HOW SO MANY OF THE SCRIPTURES ADD UP TO 10 or 11 ~ I think im going to read the book of Samuel in the BIBLE soon.  I have a study BIBLE too that will help with the scriptures and explain them!

How foolish we are when we speak to everybody else about our troubles, yet do not speak to the Lord of Sabaoth, the Lord Almighty!

The Lord Jesus Christ gave God much of his time. Oh, that we would be ashamed of how we treat God with disrespect by giving him theleftovers of our time!

8. Hannah prayed specifically. Praying in generalities is praying in unbelief. Such prayers are the prayers of people who have no need. We don’t go to the doctor and speak about non-specific problems, do we? We don’t go to a grocery store and speak in generalities. Everything is specific; we want certain items.  (I love this because i always think that I am praying in vain sometimes....like a feeling of guilt for asking for something being selfish!...but this has helped me to realize that is what GOD wants us to be specific...which I am when i pray but I do apologize in my prayers for praying for things sometimes....??? weird!)

Pray with fasting, pray in faith, pray with passion, pray with perseverance, pray with boldness because Christ’s blood has cleansed your conscience, pray in secret, pray specifically, pray unselfishly, and pray with thanksgiving, as Hannah did, saying, "My heart rejoices in the Lord." Above all, pray to know God that you may rejoice in him alone.

The Effectual Prayer

The Effectual Prayer

1 Samuel 1:9-20 | Sunday morning, July 22, 2001

By P. G. Mathew, M.A., M. Div., Th.M.

Copyright © 2001 by P. G. Mathew

Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple. In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."

"Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."

Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."

She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

Early the next morning they arose and worshipped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."

1 Samuel 1:9-20

The first chapter of 1 Samuel speaks about the birth of Samuel and the prayer of Hannah, Samuel’s mother. In the first part of the chapter we read that Hannah was a needy, depressed woman, but after she came to God and prayed, her face was lifted up and God answered her prayer. In this study we want to examine the prayer of Hannah.

Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a great man of prayer who lived in the nineteenth century, said, "What a man is alone on his knees before God, that he is and no more." Bishop J. C. Ryle, a great bishop of the Anglican church who also lived in the nineteenth century, said, "I have come to the conclusion that the great majority of professing Christians do not pray at all." Bishop Ryle also said, "Prayer will either consume sin or sin will choke prayer." From my own observation I say, "The spiritual exercise of prayer is more difficult than rigorous physical exercise."

As Christians, we are living in dangerous times in this country—times that lull us into a sense of complacency and false security. There is no war or plague; we have a vibrant economy, with a tax surplus of over two hundred billion dollars; and there is adequate health care for all people. Why should anyone pray when there is no perceived need? Like the church of Laodicea, we tell ourselves, "We are rich; we have acquired wealth, and we do not need a thing." Self-sufficient people do not pray. But according to Psalm 14:4, those who do not call upon the Lord are evildoers.

Prayer is the spiritual breathing of God’s children. Bishop Ryle also tells us, "God has no dumb children." Everyone who is a child of God will cry, "Abba, Father," by the Holy Spirit. Such people will especially pray fervently when they find themselves in need.

The truth is, we are a needy people. To the church of Laodicea the Lord Jesus said, "You are blind, you are wretched, you are naked, you are poor, you are miserable." It is our lack of perception of reality that gives us this idea that we are self-sufficient. But Jesus Christ himself told us, "Without me you can do nothing," and James counsels us, "Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray." David says in Psalm 18, "In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help."

Friends, prayer is power. That is why we want to look at the first chapter of 1 Samuel and learn something about effectual prayer. This chapter speaks of the effectual and fervent prayer of Hannah, the childless wife of a prominent Levite named Elkanah. The first point we want to examine is the background of Hannah’s effectual prayer.

Context of Prayer

In those days a husband’s hopes and dreams depended on his wife’s ability to provide him with sons. Like Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel of old, Hannah was a woman whose womb had been closed by the Lord. Hannah was barren, not by chance or because God was punishing her, but by the sovereign will of God. She was barren, ultimately, for her good and for the glory of God.

In Genesis 25:21 we read that when Rebekah was barren, Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, and the Lord answered his prayer and enabled Rebekah to conceive. But we do not read that Elkanah prayed on behalf of Hannah. He did not solve the problem spiritually, even though the Bible had already spoken about this type of situation. Elkanah leaned onto his own understanding and brought about a human solution to his problem through bigamy. To produce children, he took another wife, though it was not God’s ideal plan.

Elkanah’s second wife, Peninnah, which means pearl, did bear sons and daughters for Elkanah. But this human solution brought great trouble and we are told there was no peace in the home. Even when this family went to worship in the presence of the Lord, there was no peace. Hannah’s life was a life of great misery.

Elkanah regularly took his whole family to Shiloh to worship, probably to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, the festival celebrating God’s care over Israel and God’s blessings upon a man’s crops, cattle, and family. Hannah, being barren, did not have much to celebrate, and the prolific Peninnah, who considered Hannah as a cursed woman, would mock her to her face about her wretched condition. In Deuteronomy 7:13 we read something that helps us understand the trouble of Hannah. There we read, "He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb. . . ." So Peninnah, as a symbol of the world, persecuted Hannah, the godly one, because of her conclusion that Hannah was not blessed but cursed.

Hannah’s distress was so great that, no matter what he did, Elkanah could not comfort her. We are told he would give her a double portion of meat, but what can steak do for a deeply troubled soul? He would try to comfort her by words, asking, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?" (v. 8). But only a double portion of the Spirit and faith in God’s promises could cause Hannah’s face to be uplifted.

The more meat Elkanah gave to Hannah, the more she refused to eat. Who could help her in her deep trouble? Her trouble was equal to that of the Shunammite woman in of 2 Kings 4, who also did not have any children. Through prayer she received a son, yet later on her son died in her lap. We find the same word in verse 15 used to describe Hannah’s sorrow that is used to describe the "bitter distress" of the Shunammite. Hannah’s own confession was, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled."

But one year, while the family was at Shiloh for worship, Hannah was guided by the Holy Spirit to get up and go to the tabernacle, which represented the presence of God. In a flash she was guided to pour out her heart in prayer to the living God of Israel. She began to realize what even her husband did not realize, that prayer is power, that prayer prevails, and that prayer is effectual. She told herself, "I know God will hear my prayer and help me when no human being can do so." So we read in 1 Samuel 1:10, "In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord."

What about you? Are you needy? Are you in trouble? Are you in deep distress? Have you discovered that human answers do not work? Have you sought answers from God? Have you poured out your soul in earnest and fervent prayer to God? Are you downcast as Hannah was? I counsel you: Follow her example of prayer and your face will be lifted up.

In Psalm 42:5 the psalmist writes, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore, I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar."

The name Hannah means grace, and certainly this miserable Hannah needed an abundance of grace. Through prayer she received it from the God of all grace who gives grace to the humble.

 

The Content of Prayer

Second, we want to examine the content and form of Hannah’s prayer.

1. First, we notice that Hannah addressed her prayer to the Lord Almighty. In verse 11 we read, "And she made a vow, saying, ‘O Lord Almighty. . . .’" This is the first time in the Bible this title, the Lord of Sabaoth, appears. It is translated here as "the Lord Almighty." It means the Lord of the armies, meaning human armies, as well as the Lord of the cosmic armies—the sun, moon, and stars--as well as the Lord of the armies of heavenly angels. In other words, it is a term describing the God of infinite resources, the God beyond compare, the God who asked Abraham and Sarah, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

Knowing that he was also able to open her womb, Hannah prayed to the Lord of hosts, who had closed her womb for his own sovereign reason. Hannah was not praying to herself as the Pharisee of Luke 18 did. Hannah prayed to the God of Israel, the God of infinite resources, the God who is beyond compare, the God who is almighty. It is this God who alone is able to help us. How foolish we are when we speak to everybody else about our troubles, yet do not speak to the Lord of Sabaoth, the Lord Almighty!

2. Hannah prayed with fasting. In the midst of her deep trouble, Hannah earnestly sought God, refusing to eat until she had prayed. She was single-minded, focusing on God and God alone, at the exclusion of everything else.

What about our prayer lives? Are we so earnest, so focused, so single-minded that we sometimes forego eating so that we may pray earnestly and fervently?

3. Hannah prayed in faith. In verse 11 we read, "And she made a vow: ‘O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me and not forget your servant. . . .’" Faith is the heart of Christianity. In Romans 10:9,10 we read,"If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Hannah was telling God, "Lord, I am your servant, one who hears and does your will.

Hannah believed that God alone was able to help her. She addressed him as God Almighty, believing in his mighty power. I suspect she was reflecting on the experiences of Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel while she prayed. The word of God declared that they were barren, and yet God caused them to bear children. It is possible she remembered God’s word to Sarah: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Such an idea was repeated later on when the Lord Jesus Christ himself told his disciples, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours." So Hannah prayed in faith to the Lord Almighty, knowing that he alone could help her.

Hannah knew that her husband, Elkanah, could not help her; he only offered her steak. Her rival Peninnah did not help her; in fact, she persecuted Hannah daily. Hannah could not help herself; she had been barren for years. The doctors could not help her; what could they do? So Hannah trusted in God and prayed in faith. In 1 Peter 5:7 we read, "Cast all your anxiety on him," meaning roll your problems over to the shoulders of God, "because he cares for you."

4. Hannah prayed with tears. She prayed, not a dry prayer, but a prayer saturated with tears, a prayer flowing from the depths of her heart. In verse 10 we read, "In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord." Hers was not a ritualistic, formal prayer, nor was it a prayer for more material possessions. While others were pouring out their dreams, we are told that she was pouring out her soul to the Lord, as we read in verse 15.

When we are in such deep trouble that no one can help us but God, we will not pray dry, heartless prayers. Read about the prayer of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 5:7 tells us even he "offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears."

5. Hannah prayed with perseverance. Hers was not a two-minute prayer. In verse 12 we read, "As she kept on praying to the Lord. . . ." Hannah was not in a hurry to leave the presence of God. Her heart was full, and she was pouring it out before the Lord. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Let others eat and drink and celebrate; she would pray more and more. Hannah needed more time to spend with God.

In Genesis 32 we read about Jacob spending the night wrestling with the Lord. In the middle of the night, the Lord came down and was wrestling with him. When daybreak came, God was ready to go. Realizing who this man was, Jacob told him, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

Hosea speaks of this prayer of Jacob in Hosea chapter 12:4-5. There we read, "He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there—the Lord Almighty, the Lord, is his name of renown!"

The Bible tells us Jesus Christ himself prayed for long periods of time. In Luke 6:12 we read, "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." The Lord Jesus Christ gave God much of his time. Oh, that we would be ashamed of how we treat God with disrespect by giving him the leftovers of our time!

We must persevere in prayer, no matter whatever else is going on in our lives. The night before he was crucified, Jesus was encountering stress. PGM In fact, in Luke 22:44 we read that he was in anguish. But did he stop praying, or pray a short, formalistic prayer? No. Luke writes, "And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."

Do you have troubles and difficulties? If so, I counsel you to pray more earnestly and perseveringly. Prayer is conversing with the Lover of our souls. We have a lot to tell him, and he has a lot to tell us, especially when we are in trouble.

In the epistle of James we read that Elijah was a person like unto us. James says he prayed earnestly, but he uses a Hebrew-style expression, saying "he prayed with prayer." That is how the Hebrew expresses intensity of action.

Jesus taught his disciples about persevering prayer in Luke 18:1, where we read, "And Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Then in verse 7 he concluded, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?"

6. Hannah prayed boldly. The Bible doesn’t tell us about anyone else praying at this festive time. Oh, others were eating and drinking and getting drunk and celebrating. But Hannah boldly got up from the place of feasting and went to the place of prayer, where she stood and prayed before the Lord. She approached the throne of grace boldly, and stood before the high priest Eli, who was seated on his chair. What great boldness and confidence she displayed!

Brothers and sisters, we have a greater high priest than Eli—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. In Hebrews 4:14 we read, "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." In Hebrews 4:16 we read, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." As we live in this world, we will all experience times of need. What is the solution for our problems? Bold, confident prayer.

7. Hannah prayed secretly. We are told Hannah’s mouth was moving but her voice was not heard. She prayed silently, yet she was praying the loudest prayer she could pray, and God heard it. Jesus Christ himself taught us in Matthew 6:6,saying, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

8. Hannah prayed specifically. Praying in generalities is praying in unbelief. Such prayers are the prayers of people who have no need. We don’t go to the doctor and speak about non-specific problems, do we? We don’t go to a grocery store and speak in generalities. Everything is specific; we want certain items.

The prayer of generalities is the prayer of a self-sufficient person, a mere formalism. But Hannah had a real need, so she prayed specifically. In 1 Samuel 1:11 we read, "O Lord Almighty, if you would only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son. . . ." Notice, Hannah did not even say "give her a child." She knew her husband’s hopes depended on a son. That is why she prayed: "Give me a son."

God is not interested in general prayers. In Matthew 8:2 we read, "A man with leprosy came and knelt before [Jesus]." This man spoke very specifically. "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean," he said, and Jesus healed him. Throughout the gospels we find instances of people coming to Jesus, and Jesus asking them, "What do you want?" even though he knew their needs. The people would clearly articulate their specific needs, and Jesus Christ would meet them. So Hannah’s prayer was not, "O Lord Almighty, look upon your servant’s misery: give me a child." No! It was "Give me a son."

9. Hannah prayed unselfishly. Not only did she pray from the depths of her heart specifically for a son, but Hannah also made a vow that if God gave her a son, she would give that son back to God to serve God all of his life. Like Samson, Samuel was a Nazarite, specially dedicated to God, all his life.

The Comfort of Prayer

Third, we want to look at the comfort, the uplift, that comes because of prayer. James says the prayer of a righteous man is very powerful in its effects. God heard the cry of Hannah’s heart and caused an undiscerning, backslidden high priest, Eli, to pronounce a blessing upon this woman who was praying.

In verse 17 we read, "Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.’" That is the benediction a high priest was supposed to pronounce, as we read in Numbers 6:24, "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." When that benediction came, it meant that God had heard your prayer and God’s blessing would come and rest upon you.

The God who closed Hannah’s womb was now about to open it. The Lord Almighty did the humanly impossible and gave Hannah peace. Just as Jesus rebuked the storm and wind and there was great calm, so now God through Eli spoke peace and great calm came to the heart of Hannah.

Hannah had been depressed, she prayed, and God gave her peace. In verse 18 we read Hannah’s words, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." The word of peace spoken by God through Eli went into her heart like a seed falling on prepared soil. She received the word, believed it, and went her way. The Bible tells us she ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. That is another way of saying she was extremely joyful. Now Hannah could rejoice and eat, for God had heard her prayer.

What about you? Are you depressed? Do your troubles bring you down? What have you done about it? Oh, you may have consulted many people about your problems, but have you prayed to God Almighty? If not, you will continue to be depressed. Only when you pray as Hannah did will you hear the benediction from God himself, "Peace be unto you," and your face will be lifted up.

The comfort of prayer is true because it comes from God. Paul speaks of this God-given comfort in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comforts we ourselves have received from God." And in Romans 15:13 Paul writes, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

After Hannah left the house of the Lord, she lived all her life in the great comfort of the divine benediction she had received. She went home with Elkanah, soon became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She called the boy Samuel, which means "answered prayer," and when Samuel was three years old, she brought him to Eli in fulfillment of the vow she had made to the Lord.

According to Numbers 15:8-10, Hannah’s vow required her to bring one young bull, three-tenths of an ephah of flour, and half a hin of wine. But according to the Hebrew text, Hannah brought three bulls, one ephah of flour, and one skin of wine. In other words, after three years, her heart was still full of gratitude to God. Hannah was extravagant and generous as she came to thank God and worship him. A cheerful giver whose heart was overflowing with gratitude, Hannah gave not just one bull, but three of them, for God has blessed her much.

God continued to bless Hannah exceeding abundantly above all she asked or she could imagine. In 1 Samuel 2:21 we read that instead of one son, Hannah received a total of four sons and two daughters from the Lord. That verse also says the Lord was gracious to Hannah. Her prayer had been effectual.

But the comfort of prayer does not come from the gifts God gives us in response to our prayers. The true comfort came to Hannah from her increased knowledge of God himself, the Giver of all gifts. So in 1 Samuel 2 we find another prayer of Hannah, and the first line gives us an understanding of the growth in grace Hannah had experienced. Hannah did not begin her prayer, "My heart rejoices in Samuel." No, she said "My heart rejoices in the Lord." Surely in his presence there is fullness of joy and on his right hand pleasures forevermore, as the psalmist says. In the same way, we should also rejoice, not in all the gifts, but in the great Gift God has given to us in Jesus Christ: "Unto us a child is born and unto us a Son is given." This Son who died for our sins alone is the Savior, and he alone is able to cheer our hearts by giving us full forgiveness of all our sins and clothing us with his perfect righteousness.

What About You?

Are you troubled? Are you heavy-hearted? Are you confused? Are you depressed? Are you cast down? Then pray—pray to the Lord Almighty. Pray to the Lord who gave us his Son, who told us, "Come unto me and I will give you rest." Pray with fasting, pray in faith, pray with passion, pray with perseverance, pray with boldness because Christ’s blood has cleansed your conscience, pray in secret, pray specifically, pray unselfishly, and pray with thanksgiving, as Hannah did, saying, "My heart rejoices in the Lord." Above all, pray to know God that you may rejoice in him alone.

Christians need to pray! James tells us in James 4:2, "You do not have, because you do not ask God." Paul writes in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Keep in mind what Hezekiah did when he received a letter from the king of Assyria saying he was going to destroy Hezekiah. Hezekiah went to the temple, and in the presence of God, he opened up the letter to God and prayed, "O God, you have to answer. We are finished. You have to act." And as we read in Isaiah 37 and 2 Kings 19, God acted, and the Assyrian army was destroyed by the angel of the Lord.

What do we do when we are deeply troubled? Do we complain and murmur and shift the blame and get angry? God is asking us to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. When we do so, our prayer will come into his ears and he will give us peace.

May God help us to cry out to him! Oh, we have tried everything else, but nothing worked. We thought we needed all sorts of monies, physical comforts, and things, but all the prosperity we experienced meant nothing. We have a false sense of complacency and are in serious danger if we don’t pray. The truth is, we are a wretched, miserable, naked, blind, poor people. This is the nature of the church all over the world.

God created us to have fellowship with him. As Augustine said, our hearts are restless until they find rest in him. May we learn, therefore, to pray as Hannah did, so that we can say with Hannah, "My heart rejoices in the Lord" as we experience his grace in our lives. Amen.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

"NIV" and "New International Version" are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.

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An Email To Beka

Ok I am having a spiritual moment!!!!! I had to email you. Earlier today I was researching a website for all of the stuff I'm doing with Preemie Prints. I came across this store that sells adorable preemie clothes. I was looking around the site and at the bottom there was this cross that said "Preemie Prayer Page....submit your picture, story, and prayer needs and we will pray for you and your baby" other than that the site wasn't really christian oriented. I thought it was an awesome idea since we know how prayer makes such a difference. When we were in our weakest times turning to prayer, angels, saints, etc. was what got us through and made our situations end up ok. 

Anyways.... I wanted to incorporate a prayer page as well and so earlier this afternoon I started working on it. Here is the link http://preemieprintsprayerpage.blogspot.com/ after I designed the top I kept wanting to have something about prayer in general or what it can do for people who may not pray or believe in it. But I couldn't come up with anything prophetic and I wanted something that specifically spoke to women in strife about their baby. So I figured I'd just think about it and I'd come across a quote or story or bible verse at some point down the line. 

Fast forward to after we talked. Me and B finished the movie and I got online. In google I typed in "Samuel and Prayer" I guess I added on the prayer part because of what I was thinking about earlier or maybe Chase lead me there?? I have no idea. So thats what I typed and then I clicked on the first page on the top of the links google pulled up this was the link: http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/go/gvcc/sermon_trans/2001/Effectual_Prayer.html 

Read it. It's AMAAZING!!!!! how it relates to so many things. Us and our issues we are going through now, prayer in general and how we know things are better when we are praying fervently, and to my specific "prayer page" and suffering women/babies. The whole sermon is titled "The Effectual Prayer" which is interesting in itself and the verse they base the whole idea on is Samuel 1:9-20 (9+2=11) and throughout the sermon almost all of the verses they quote add up to 11. 

In the sermon is says the name SAMUEL means ANSWERED PRAYER. I can't help but think he's telling us our prayers are being answered. I love you thanks for calling me tonight. :)  

Got my Taurus pt-111 on 01-10-11

Beka is coming to visit today so we are together on 1-10-11 and 1-11-11! Brian got home from running errands and told me he has put a new handgun on layaway for me. I've been wanting one for protection. I have two children and that is really important to me. However, we had put that on the back burner due to lack of $$$. Without even discussing and because it was on such a good sale he went ahead and put it on layaway for me today. When he got home and was telling me I asked him what brand it was. He said Taurus pt-111!!!!!!!!! I asked him if he realized that when he was buying it for me and he said no not until I just brought it up. Crazy start to 1-10-11 already! Can't wait for Beka to get here and see if she has had any events yet.

Only thing is it makes me a little nervous since now I feel like God really wants me to have it. I have to wonder why? But I'm going to just go that the reason is for my peace of mind.

The 11th Hour

An organization I contacted tonight called Hand To Hold has just contacted me with this email. I don't know what will come of it but am over joyed right now to know that over 780 people may see my website tonight. I feel God working right now. Before I pressed send on my email (also below) I prayed an Our Father. Here is our email exchange that happened during the 11th hour. 


Hi Kelli and Babs,

I am a pretty new mom of twin girls who were born early. They are now 1 year old and very healthy. My experience impacted me in an amazing way. I have started a new charity that has allowed me to use that impact in a positive and charitable way. I am trying to figure out the best way to spread the word and would love any thoughts you guys may have for me. What you all are doing is amazing and maybe since you come into contact with so many preemie moms there is a way for you to spread the word. If you have a few minutes to take a look at my mini-site it has all of the information about what I'm doing. I would love any advice, help, or ideas you could give me. Thank you so much I truly appreciate your time as I know you are very busy. One day I would love to be a part of Hand to Hold as well. :)

Thank you,

Amber Collier

http://preemieprints.blogspot.com/

Hi Amber,
Thanks for reaching out. Congrats on this venture. It is so inspiring to meet a mom who has turned the NICU experience into an opportunity to help fellow parents.

I am going to facebook about your service tonight to our 780 facebook and twitter followers. (www.facebook.com/handtohold,twitter.com/atx_handtohold)

Would you and your husband please consider attending our volunteer training in Austin on Feb. 19th?

Best,
Babs

• Hand to Hold + Others
• Just Hand to Hold
• Just Others

Hand to Hold A fellow NICU mom has twins who are now healthy 1 yr olds & she volunteers her time photographing preemies and their families in the NICU and beyond. Hope you'll check out her site.

Preemie Prints

preemieprints.blogspot.com

Preemie Prints is a charitable photography service based in the Brazos Valley specializing in photographing preemies. All sessions are complimentary to the parents. Donations to the charity are appreciated but NOT required.

24 minutes ago ·  · Comment · Share

Hand to Hold HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!