PODCAST

Praying Through To Assurance

May 29th, 2012

1 Samuel 1:9-18 RG AUDIO 052912

What a change a night of prayer can make. Earlier Hannah was praying in “bitterness of soul” (v. 10), her tears flowed freely; she would vow anything, even a son, if she would be so blessed. After the prayer, her appetite was restored, “her face was no longer downcast” (v. 18). What happened?

Through Eli, God had spoken words of assurance (v. 17). This is an example of what some call “praying through.” Some have had a busy day, or a night of sleep, interrupted by a strong sense of urgency to pray for a particular need or person, only to discover later that it was at that moment prayer was most needed. The answer had come, the burden was gone, God had spoken, and it would be done.

The Holy Spirit can give us this assurance. The very desperation that drives us to God in fervent prayer may be God’s method for strengthening our faith and preparing us for the answer that is already on its way.