1 Samuel 2:1-11 This week we are finishing our study about prayer and looking at the prayer Hannah prayed after she brought Samuel to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. God answered Hannah’s prayers even though she went years without having a child. Hannah kept her word and gave Samuel to the Lord. The first thing Hannah said in her prayer was, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.” We know from the first chapter in 1 Samuel that Elkanah had a second wife that provoked Hannah and made life difficult for her. Hannah praised God for delivering her and for who God is. Hannah acknowledged the difference between people and God in her prayer. God is in control of life and death. God humbles people and others he exalts. Hannah also acknowledged that God, “will judge the ends of the earth.” We know that God has made Jesus the judge over all of us and we will face judgment for what we have done and said on this earth. The time for judgment is closer than it used to be, but for now we can pray to God and rest knowing that Jesus is interceding for us right now on God’s right hand. I hope that over these last few weeks you have been encouraged about praying to God and spending time talking with him. How has reading about prayer affected your prayers? Is there only one correct way to pray to God? How has God responded to your prayers?
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1 Samuel 1 We will continue our study about prayer today. We are going to look at Hannah today. Next week we will look at a prayer she prayed after what took place in the scripture for today. Hannah and Peninnah were married to the same man. Peninnah bore their husband children, while the Lord caused Hannah to be unable to have children. Hannah was bitter and wept because she could not have children. She did not, however, retaliate against Peninnah when Peninnah provoked her. Hannah prayed to the Lord. She made a vow that if the Lord gave her a son, she would give the son back to the Lord. The Lord remembered her, and Hannah gave Samuel to the Lord after he was weaned. When God allows us to face hardships, do we turn from him or turn to him? Have you ever been so bitter that all you could do was cry out to God? Have you ever made a deal or vow to God? Did you keep your end of the deal or vow to God? Ephesians 3:14-21 Today we are continuing our study about prayer and looking at a prayer the Apostle Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus. There are a few things we should notice about this prayer. 1. Paul prayed to God the Father. 2. He prayed the Father would strengthen them out of his glorious riches. 3. He prayed the Father would strengthen them with power from the Holy Spirit in their inner being. 4. He prayed they would be strengthen so Jesus Christ could dwell in their hearts. 5. Paul prayed the Ephesians would be rooted and grounded in love. 6. He prayed they would have power with all believers to understand the love of Jesus Christ. 7. He prayed they would know the love of Jesus Christ is greater than knowledge. 8. He prayed they would be filled with the fullness of God. 9. Paul gave God glory. 10. Paul acknowledged God’s glory in the church and Jesus Christ throughout all generations. As believers, we should pray this kind of prayer for other believers. Sometimes, people that are newly adopted into God’s family need this kind of prayer. Other times, people that have been in God’s family for a while need this kind of prayer. Regardless, this is the kind of prayer that shows we value God’s family and value building his family up. Do you know anyone that prays this kind of prayer for you currently? Do you pray this kind of prayer for anyone currently? What part or parts of this prayer stood out to you? Daniel 9:4-19 This week we are continuing our study about prayer and looking at a prayer that Daniel prayed before receiving a vision about future events. Last we covered that Daniel knew what God was doing because he had read the words of Jeremiah. In this prayer, we read that Daniel was making a petition to God on behalf of the children of Israel. He was mindful to recognize some key qualities God has. Daniel recognized that God is: great, awesome, the one that keeps his covenant of love with those that love him and obey his commands, righteous, merciful, forgiving, the one who brought his people out of Egypt and made a name that endures, and the one whose city and people bear his name. It is important to remember and recognize God and his qualities when we pray. There are several more qualities of God that Daniel, did not mention in this particular prayer, but the qualities he did mention went with the petition he was making. We would not remind God that vengeance is his if we were praying about God helping someone with a health issue. Daniel knew God has a special relationship with the children of Israel and Daniel did not want God to forsake them or disinherit them. Daniel did not cover up or make excuses for the sins committed by the children of Israel. He asked the righteous and merciful God, their Lord, for forgiveness. How do you address God in your prayers? How many qualities of God do you know from personal experience? How often do you petition God in your prayers and include recognition of his qualities that are related to your petition? How often do you petition God in your prayers and include confession of your/your people’s sins that are related to your petition? |
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