Faith Amid Family Dysfunction: Hannah's Journey

Summary

Family is a journey filled with both joy and challenge, and every one of us knows what it means to navigate the complexities and dysfunctions that come with it. The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:1-20 is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of family dysfunction, disappointment, and seasons of barrenness—whether literal or figurative—faith can find a way. Hannah’s life was marked by deep pain: she was unable to have children, her rival provoked her relentlessly, and her husband, though loving, simply didn’t understand the depth of her anguish. Yet, in the face of all this, Hannah models a faith that refuses to be diminished by dysfunction.

Hannah teaches us that our devotion to God must not be dictated by our circumstances. Even when her name, which means “favor,” seemed to mock her reality, and her bitterness threatened to overwhelm her, she pressed her way to worship. She did not allow her pain, her haters, or even her own family’s cluelessness to keep her from the presence of God. There is a unique transformation that happens when we gather in God’s house, a shift that can move us from grief to gratitude, from bitterness to blessing.

But Hannah’s example goes even deeper. She shows us that our problems must never preempt our prayers. Even when her problem was not caused by the enemy but by God Himself—when the Lord had closed her womb—she still turned to God in persistent, passionate prayer. She poured out her soul, making a promise to dedicate her child to the Lord if He would grant her request. Hannah’s persistence in prayer, even when misunderstood by others, is a call to keep seeking God, trusting that He is able to change our situation or, at the very least, change us in the midst of it.

In the end, God heard Hannah. He answered her prayer, and she named her son Samuel, meaning “He heard me.” Hannah’s story doesn’t end with her receiving what she asked for; it continues with a song of praise, a testimony that God is a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. No matter how long the wait, no matter how deep the pain, we can rest assured: He hears us.

Key Takeaways

- Dysfunction in family is universal, but it does not have to define us. Every family has its own unique challenges and brokenness, yet God’s grace is present even in the most complicated situations. The presence of dysfunction is not a sign of God’s absence; rather, it is often the very context in which God’s power is revealed. Our faith is not proven in the absence of trouble, but in our response to it. [02:42]

- Never allow dysfunction to diminish your devotion. Hannah’s life was filled with disappointment, bitterness, and provocation, yet she continued to worship and seek God. There will be seasons when your reality does not match your identity as favored or blessed, but true devotion presses on, even when feelings and circumstances do not align. The discipline of worship in hard times is a declaration that God is worthy, regardless of what we face. [14:12]

- Guard your heart against bitterness, especially when your pain is prolonged. Bitterness can make us cold and unresponsive to God, even when we are physically present in worship. It is easy to let disappointment harden us, but Hannah’s story reminds us that we must fight to keep our hearts tender and open before God, refusing to let our pain silence our praise. [18:47]

- Don’t let your problems preempt your prayers—even when God is the source of your struggle. Sometimes, the hardest trials are those that God allows or even causes, and in those moments, we are tempted to withdraw from Him. Yet, Hannah shows us that whether our problem comes from the enemy or the hand of God, our response must be the same: persistent, passionate prayer. If God caused it, He is also able to cure it. [27:45]

- Persistent and passionate prayer changes things—sometimes the situation, sometimes us. Hannah’s repeated prayers did not just move God; they transformed her own heart and disposition. Even when answers are delayed, continued prayer keeps us connected to God’s presence and power, and positions us to receive His peace and provision. When the answer comes, our response should be praise, testifying that God hears and answers prayer. [35:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction: Faith for My Family
[02:00] - The Reality of Family Dysfunction
[02:42] - Dysfunction in Every Family
[05:30] - Hannah’s Barrenness and Shame
[08:45] - Defaulting to the Divine in Difficulty
[12:00] - The Power of Devotion Amid Dysfunction
[14:12] - Worship in Spite of Bitterness
[18:47] - Guarding Against Bitterness
[20:54] - Dealing with Heartless Haters
[22:36] - The Cluelessness of Loved Ones
[25:00] - Don’t Let Dysfunction Diminish Devotion
[27:45] - Problems Shouldn’t Preempt Prayer
[32:00] - Persistent and Passionate Prayer
[35:35] - God Hears and Answers
[41:11] - Living in the Confidence That He Heard You
[44:00] - Closing Prayer and Praise

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Faith for My Family (Hannah’s Story)

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### Bible Reading

- 1 Samuel 1:1-20
(The story of Hannah’s family, her pain, her prayer, and God’s answer.)

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### Observation Questions

1. What were the main sources of pain and dysfunction in Hannah’s family as described in 1 Samuel 1?
[See [02:42]]

2. How did Hannah respond when her husband and her rival did not understand or support her pain?
[See [22:36]]

3. What did Hannah do with her pain and disappointment when she went to the house of the Lord?
[See [14:12]]

4. What was the result of Hannah’s persistent and passionate prayer?
[See [35:35]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the story of Hannah’s barrenness and family dysfunction is included in the Bible? What does it reveal about how God works in messy situations?
[See [02:42]]

2. The sermon says, “Never allow dysfunction to diminish your devotion.” What does it look like for someone to keep worshiping God even when their life feels broken or unfair?
[See [14:12]]

3. How does Hannah’s example challenge the idea that we should only pray when we feel spiritual or when things are going well?
[See [27:45]]

4. The pastor said, “If God caused it, He is also able to cure it.” How does this truth affect the way we approach God with our hardest problems?
[See [27:45]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says that every family has some dysfunction, but that doesn’t have to define us. What is one area of dysfunction or challenge in your family that you are currently facing? How does knowing God’s grace is present even in complicated situations change your perspective?
[See [02:42]]

2. Hannah kept coming to worship even when her reality didn’t match her identity as “favored.” Have you ever felt like your life didn’t match what you believed about God’s favor or blessing? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time?
[See [14:12]]

3. The sermon warns us to guard our hearts against bitterness, especially when pain is prolonged. Is there a disappointment or hurt in your life that is making you bitter or cold toward God or others? What would it look like to “fight to keep your heart tender and open before God”?
[See [18:47]]

4. Hannah’s husband tried to comfort her but didn’t really understand her pain. Have you ever felt misunderstood by people close to you when you were struggling? How did you handle it, and how can you bring those feelings honestly to God in prayer?
[See [22:36]]

5. The sermon says, “Don’t let your problems preempt your prayers—even when God is the source of your struggle.” Is there a situation in your life where you’ve stopped praying because you’re frustrated with God? What would it look like to start praying about it again, honestly and persistently?
[See [27:45]]

6. Persistent and passionate prayer sometimes changes our situation, but sometimes it changes us. Can you share a time when prayer didn’t change your circumstances, but it changed your heart or attitude?
[See [27:45]]

7. When God answered Hannah’s prayer, her response was praise. How can you make praise and gratitude a regular part of your life, even before you see the answer to your prayers?
[See [35:35]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for one another’s family challenges, asking God for persistent faith, tender hearts, and the courage to keep seeking Him no matter what.

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in the Midst of Family Dysfunction
No family is without dysfunction, but faith finds a way through.

Every family, no matter how spiritual or well-intentioned, faces its own unique set of dysfunctions and challenges. The story of Elkanah, Hannah, and Peninnah in 1 Samuel 1 is a vivid reminder that even in the most faithful households, there can be pain, rivalry, and misunderstanding. Yet, the presence of dysfunction does not disqualify anyone from experiencing God’s grace. Instead, it becomes the very ground where faith is tested and proven. When family dynamics wear you out or leave you feeling less than whole, remember that God is not surprised by your situation. He meets you right in the middle of the mess, inviting you to trust Him to bring beauty out of brokenness. [02:42]

1 Samuel 1:1-7 (ESV)
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.

Reflection: What is one area of dysfunction in your family that you have tried to fix on your own? How can you invite God’s grace into that situation today?

Day 2: Never Let Dysfunction Diminish Your Devotion
Worship God even when your circumstances don’t match your name.

Hannah’s name means “favor” or “grace,” yet her life felt anything but favored as she endured barrenness and provocation. There are seasons when your reality seems to contradict the promises of God over your life, and bitterness threatens to take root. But Hannah pressed her way to worship, refusing to let her pain keep her from God’s presence. Even when your heart is heavy, your devotion to God can be the very thing that shifts your perspective and brings you strength. Don’t let disappointment or bitterness rob you of the joy and transformation that comes from meeting God in worship. [18:47]

Psalm 122:1 (ESV)
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Reflection: When have you felt least like worshiping God? What would it look like for you to show up in His presence this week, even if your heart is hurting?

Day 3: Never Let Your Problems Preempt Your Prayers
Persistent, passionate prayer is the pathway through pain.

Hannah’s story teaches that no matter how overwhelming the problem—whether it’s caused by people or permitted by God—prayer is always the right response. She poured out her soul before the Lord, not just once, but persistently and passionately, even when her pain was misunderstood by others. Sometimes, God doesn’t change the situation immediately, but He changes you as you keep coming to Him. Don’t let discouragement or delay silence your prayers; keep pressing in, knowing that God hears every word and every groan of your heart. [27:45]

1 Samuel 1:9-18 (ESV)
After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

Reflection: What is the one thing you have stopped praying about because it seems hopeless? Will you bring it to God again today, trusting Him to hear you?

Day 4: God Hears and Answers the Prayers of the Faithful
God responds to persistent faith with miraculous answers.

Hannah’s persistent, passionate prayers were not in vain. In the course of time, God opened her womb and gave her a son, Samuel, whose very name means “God has heard.” When God answers, it is often in ways that exceed our expectations and break through human traditions. Hannah’s story is a testimony that God is attentive to the cries of His people, and He delights in responding to faith that refuses to give up. Even if you have to wait, you can rest assured that God hears you and is working on your behalf. [35:35]

1 Samuel 1:19-20 (ESV)
They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”

Reflection: Where have you seen God answer a persistent prayer in your life or the life of someone you love? How can you give Him thanks and share that testimony today?

Day 5: Praise God for Hearing and Answering Prayer
Gratitude and praise are the natural response to God’s faithfulness.

After God answered Hannah’s prayer, she didn’t keep the blessing to herself—she returned to God with a heart full of praise. Her prayer in 1 Samuel 2 is a song of thanksgiving, celebrating the God who hears and answers. When God moves in your life, don’t forget to come back and give Him the glory. Let your gratitude overflow in worship, testimony, and joyful surrender, knowing that every good gift comes from His hand. [41:11]

1 Samuel 2:1-2 (ESV)
And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”

Reflection: What is one specific way you can praise God today for hearing and answering your prayers, even if you are still waiting for the full answer?

Quotes

Family can be a trip. That is a sentiment that does not take long to learn if you exist in any family structure. Family systems, family structures can sometimes perplex you, can jostle you, can challenge you in ways that you never thought imaginable. Just dealing with family can sometimes stress you out. Dealing with family will sometimes make you want to cuss somebody out. Dealing with family can be a trip. Yeah, I mean, family would be all right if you didn't have to deal with people in it. Dealing with family can be a trip. [00:01:35]

The challenge is you got to deal with family members who know how to rub you the wrong way, who know how to press your buttons, who know how to get under your skin. There are people in the room today who can testify that you have some unique family structures. There's some folk in your family that you just hate to see them coming. You ain't got to say amen so loud. [00:02:15]

All of us have some unique family dynamics. Sometimes the holidays or family reunions, you just dread it because you know if that one somebody says the wrong thing to somebody else, it's going to just turn the whole thing out. There's just going to be a unique situation by the time we all leave. You just hope at the reunion that this one somebody doesn't show up. Because if that cousin doesn't show up, then you don't have to worry about that cousin flipping out. And then you have to worry about that cousin telling somebody that what you did back in 1975 really messed me up. And I'm still trying to get over it. Family can be a trip. [00:02:42]

Dysfunctionality in the family is real. No matter what your family structure, no matter what your family size, dysfunctionality is real. Every one of us. You don't have to look across the sanctuary. You don't have to look around the room. You don't have to look around the worship center. Every one of us has some dysfunction in our family. Every single family has some dysfunctionality to varying degrees to be sure. No matter how spiritual that family is, no matter how church -going that family is, because there are human beings in the family, there is dysfunction in that family. All of us have to deal with the reality that we don't operate at our maximum potential because we're just frail. We're fickle individuals. And because of our finitude, we have the unique circumstances of life that perplex us and sometimes cause family dynamics to go awry. Family dynamics can wear you out, can stress you out, because family can be a trip. [00:03:21]

she had been barren all of her life unable to conceive unable to bear a child the lord had closed her womb now brothers and sisters you must understand this is a challenge for hannah to be sure because she greatly desires a child she wants a child not just any child she wants a son to be given to her beloved husband elkanah that's her desire that a son might be given but she is barren she cannot conceive she cannot bear children and in the days of antiquity that my brothers and sisters was a sign of shame it brought disgrace and dishonor to the family when the woman could not conceive and bear a child now to be sure barrenness pervades the pages of the bible from the old testament through the new testament you have sarai the wife of abram who became abraham and sarah they had to deal with the barrenness of sarai you deal with the book of luke at chapter one which is part of our daily scripture reading for today luke chapters one and two and you're introduced to a sister named elizabeth and elizabeth has been barren unable to conceive throughout the pages of the bible there is barrenness and hannah in this text before us today is dealing with barrenness and to be sure i know that there are persons listening to my voice right now who've had to deal with the rough reality of the inability to conceive right now on this mother's day some sister struggles with the reality of infertility and that happens in the lord's house among the lord's people and this is a challenge for hannah just as it is a challenge for sisters in 2018 and she's dealing with this rough reality but let's be sure to remember that hannah is a spiritual woman hannah is a god -fearing god -loving woman and she understands that there are certain things that god -fearing god -loving women do even when circumstances are beyond their control even when there's dysfunction in the family when things are not functioning the way that they would like for them to function there are some women in the church who can testify there are certain things you know to do you know how to default to the divine in a way that will help you to overcome the dysfunction that you find in your situation and that's what hannah does there's dysfunction in her family but she defaults to the divine oh that's a good word for somebody today because you've been trying to handle everything in your own strength you've been trying to do everything in your own power and today i came to release you from the frustration of trying to handle everything in your life by yourself today this preacher came to tell you that once again you need to default to the divine and remember that he is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think can i have two witnesses in every section who can testify he's still able [00:05:38]

Oh, child of God, this is a good word for the saints of God today, not just for the sisters in the sanctuary, not just for the mothers among us, but all of us. Because the truth be told, all of us have to deal with some barrenness in areas of our lives, unproductivity, the inability to make progress and movement in our lives. Every one of us in some seasons of our lives feel stagnated, unable to make forward progress, unable to move in the way we want to move. That's Hannah's situation. That's the lot of some brother or some sister sitting on the rows of this sanctuary, on the rows of the worship center on this Sunday afternoon, almost afternoon, that you and I have to deal with barrenness, with dysfunction, with the inability to make progress and productivity. The reality of our lives. But I'm so glad Hannah's story is in the Bible, because Hannah helps us to understand how we can handle even the dysfunctionality of family dynamics. She helps us to understand how to deal with dysfunction and barrenness. May I suggest just two things on this Sunday morning, and I'll release you from this message. But there's a couple things that we need to understand from Hannah's story that just might help us to have faith for our families and any other functionality that's not functioning at its optimum potential. Today, my brothers and sisters, Sister Hannah teaches us a couple of things. And may I suggest in the first place that Hannah's story teaches us to never permit dysfunction to diminish your devotion. [00:08:49]

I say we are never allowed dysfunction to diminish our devotion. Now, if you remember the story that Reverend Allen read, you heard him say that year after year, Elkanah, Hannah and Peninnah, along with her children, made their way up to Shiloh to worship God. It was an annual pilgrimage. They did it at least three times later on in the church, in the in the life of the Israelites. They would do it only once. But now they're going three times to the holy city. They're heading up to Shiloh to worship God. And as they're going to worship God, they make sure that they sacrifice, make sacrifices under God. Elkanah is responsible for providing the sacrifices he gives Peninnah and the children, their sacrifice. But because he loved Elkanah and because he loved Hannah, he gave her a double portion of the sacrifice. Now, this is what blesses my life, because even in spite of her dysfunctionality, this my sister Hannah understood that there was something that happens when you make your way to the house of God, to experience devotion and communion with God that is necessary in the life of every spiritual believer that will make your life even better in spite of the dysfunctionality you face. Can I say it again another way? That there is something in the mentality of believers, those who are devoted to the Lord our God, that can testify to the reality that there's something that happens when you get to God's house that cannot happen just by staying at your house. Okay. Oh, child of God, I don't know what it is that happens when we come into this place, but something begins to happen on every row in every section among the pews in the aisles that literally transforms us from where we were to where we need to be. I don't know how God does it, but in his own supernatural way, God works things together for our good. So that even if you come in one way, you're bound to leave out another way. If you maintain your devotion to God, I don't care how frustrated you were at the call to worship somewhere in the middle of worship. By the time you get to the benediction, you'll be lifting up your hands and telling God, thank you, that he's still in complete control of your life. Oh, somebody can testify. There have been some seasons when you had depressed your way to the house of God, and you may have come in burdened, but you're left out blessed. You came in downtrodden, but you went out delivered. I need two or three folk in every section to help somebody on your row understand. You can't stay away from church just because you're mad at the world. You can't stay away from church just because they laid you off your job. You can't stay away from church just because mama ain't here this Mother's Day. You got to come to the house of the Lord because there's something that happens in here that shifts you from where you were to where God wants you to be. [00:10:29]

Here it is, church family. There is Sister Hannah. She makes her way to the house of the Lord. She says, I'm going to worship in spite of. I'm going to worship in spite of the heartbreak, in spite of the turmoil. As a matter of fact, your Bible uses some very strong words to describe her emotions. One word is grief. One word is anguish. Another word is bitterness. She's got a whole lot going on with her that is allowing, disallowing her to really have the kind of effervescence that she would normally have. But in spite of it all, she presses her way to the house of God. And I know I'm preaching to the converted today, but somebody in here needs to understand that next week you can't stay away from church just because you don't like what's happening in your life. And next month you can't choose to stay away because if you're not careful, the enemy will make sure that if you miss one Sunday, you'll find a reason to miss another Sunday. And if you miss two Sundays, you'll find a reason to miss three or four Sundays. Oh, but somebody in here ought to be able to testify. I was glad when they said unto me, let's go to church. I don't know what it is about this place, but something happens when we call your name. [00:14:24]

her name and her nature are not synonymous now if you've been listening to us at any point in time you have heard us say repeatedly from this pulpit and even in bible study that when the israelites gave people names their names would be synonymous with their nature that what you called a person indicated the character of a person that in the scriptures name and nature were always synonymous one with another but that's not going on for sister hannah right now can i tell you what hannah means the name hannah means favor the name hannah means grace but right now she's not seemingly very favored at all is there one in among us who today who can testify there have been some seasons when i knew i was favored but i didn't see the favor on my life that i knew god had granted me there have been some seasons i knew i was blessed and highly favored but i wasn't feeling very favored i wasn't feeling like i had all the blessings that i was entitled to the blessings weren't chasing me like the scripture says they were supposed to somebody in here can testify there will be some seasons when your name and your nature are not congruent they do not get along it seemed diametrically opposed to one another and how do you keep on coming to church when you don't feel the favor of god on your life this is this is for the grown -up saints now this ain't for these newbie believers who just show up whenever the sun is shining i'm not talking about fair weather christians i need somebody who's been steeped in the lord for a little while to testify i can't just come when the sun is shining even when the rain is falling i still gotta bless his name [00:15:51]

her name and her nature are not synonymous if that wasn't bad enough church family if you keep reading the scriptures you will find out that because of her barrenness her barrenness has now led her to a place of bitterness now this spiritual woman has found herself in a bitter place she's in a place of bitterness that's what your bible says in verse 10 in the bitterness of her soul she poured out her feelings to the lord she's bitter as a consequence of her situation [00:17:37]

And that bitterness child of God will make us callous, won't it? It'll make us not want to worship. It'll make us not want to celebrate God. Make us not want to come to church. If we're not careful, all of us who will experience bitterness at some point in life have to guard against letting our bitterness keep us from our devotion to God. All bitterness shows up. Yes, it does. When you don't have what you would like to have for an extended period of time and you know you're spiritual. Did I mention handling spiritual? [00:18:34]

She's in a place of bitterness and you've got to guard against bitterness because bitterness will make you cold and callous. Even against the things of God. I mean, bitterness will make you sit through a whole hour and a half of worship and act like you don't feel anything. Act like you don't even hear the name Jesus being called. I mean, how many times can you hear them say Jesus? They said Jesus 459 times and somebody's still sitting there with their arms folded acting like something didn't happen. Oh, but something ought to happen when you hear the name. Something ought to happen when you hear them talking about that man who died at Calvary. Something ought to happen every time you hear somebody say God is able. Something ought to happen when you sit next to somebody and you see that the Lord pulled them through another week. It ought to make you get happy even if you got to get happy all by yourself. I need some people in here who are self -testifying. I can't let my life situation make me bitter. God's been too good to me for me to be bitter. It may not be good right over here, but as I look over here, God's still... All of my good days outweigh my bad days. I won't complain. [00:18:47]

And if her name and nature not being synonymous, if her barrenness and leading to bitterness wasn't bad enough, she got a hater in her life who is heartless. Got a hater who is heartless. Did I mention to you that Elk and I had two wives? It's dysfunctional all around. Two wives, yes, he did. The other one is Penina, and your Bible says that Penina is always provoking Hannah. They're on their way up to the holy city of Shiloh. They're making their way to worship, and while they're making their way to Shiloh to worship, every year, your Bible says, year after year, Penina, her rival, says the scripture, is provoking her. Literally every time she turned around, she had to deal with this same situation, constantly provoking her, constantly irritating her, constantly rubbing her the wrong way. Have you ever been there? [00:20:28]

But okay, I cannot does not understand does not understand this brother and the sister at all He is now in a space where he's asking questions that rub her the wrong way even the more She's struggling to maintain devotion in the midst of dysfunction. I'm talking to somebody today You had to press your way to church today because you got some dysfunction going on in your life I'm talking to somebody today. You had to make yourself get up Because you would have rather stayed in the bed today because this day doesn't bring you as much joy as it brings somebody else on your row I'm talking to you today. Yep I came to talk to you today because you're dealing with a space in your life where circumstances are so rough on you that you don't even need to go You don't even feel the need to show up in church on a Sunday morning And you came because God knew that there would be a word for you today to tell you don't let your dysfunction Diminish your devotion. I need 10 or 12 people in here to help me preach this message and said I'm gonna bless him in good times and bad times I won't bless him on the mountain and in the valley I'm gonna celebrate God when I feel like it and when I don't feel like it Even if you got to sit in here mad at the world You sit in here until something starts working on you and you refuse to get out of here the same way you came Can I get three witnesses in here who can testify if I show up in here? I believe that in his presence there is fullness of joy [00:24:05]

my time is almost out but i gotta give you one more thing i tried to suggest to you this morning church family that in the midst of the rough realities of life even when you find family is dysfunctional don't let your dysfunction diminish your devotion may i suggest in the second place that you and i must never ever i mean never let our problems preempt our prayers that you and i must never let our problems preempt our prayers now i say that presupposing that all us good church going people pray regularly [00:25:34]

and that's a presupposition that i'm just going to lay on the table and hope i'm right but if the truth be told given some surveys and statistics that have been given to us most church folk don't pray regularly and the only time we pray is when we get ourselves in a situation that we can't get ourselves out of today my sister hannah teaches us that you and i have to be people who never allow our problems to preempt our prayers sister hannah begins to pray that's what she does in the midst of her worship at shiloh she stands up so says the scripture and she goes to the altar and she begins to pray now i love sister hannah's prayer because she's got a problem that's beyond her control you will remember she's barren did i mention that to you she is barren in this situation in antiquity barrenness was a sign of social shame dishonor and disgrace she's in a space she does not want to be in she wants to produce a child and not just any child a man child a son for her husband elkanah and she's in a space where things are not working out it's a problem but that's not the bigger problem pastor aj the bigger problem is this the bible says the lord had closed her womb her problem is not that her first her that she has brought some problem to her situation situation [00:26:04]

she has brought some issue to her circumstance no her problem is God watch the devil didn't do this this is the Lord's doing and it ain't all that marvelous in our eyes this is the Lord's doing now how do you handle it when God is the cause of your problem yeah come on church people come on keep talking back to me what do you do when God is the root of your situation when God is the one who has done the problem solving the problem situation that has now occurred in your life it's one thing when the devil is the problem because when the devil is the problem you can go to God and say hey God fix this you know the devil is wreaking havoc on my job we can have it in my family you can have it in my finances God fix it but who do you turn to when the problem is God help me preach ma 'am I submit today that sister Hannah knows exactly to whom we must turn she teaches us that if whether your problem is the devil or the divine you still turn to the same person and you still turn to God and say God work this thing out for me because if you caused it you can cure it what did you hear what I just said you should have put a smile on your face right there and I said if God caused it then God is well able to cure it I need two or three people in here who know that there is nothing too hard for God to help me preach on a Sunday afternoon and testify to yourself and anybody listening that God is still able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or even think so that's what she does she turns to God she turns to God and she starts talking to God hey God work it out fix this she begins to pray I love Hannah's prayer in verse 10 she begins to pray out of her bitterness out of her weeping out of all the anguish that she's been feeling she begins to talk to God and when Hannah prays she says Lord you know I want a son and I'm asking you to do it do what only you can do I need you to open my womb I need you to work this out for me and she prays in verse 10 but her prayer is even more powerful than that church family because when you read her prayer you know Hannah doesn't only pray but she also makes a promise she makes a promise she says Lord if you give me a son I'm gonna give him back to you I'm gonna dedicate him to you for the rest of his life no razor will ever be on his head he's gonna be a Nazarite boy just like Samson y 'all remember Samson and Delilah he could never cut his hair because his strength was found in his hair no razor is gonna ever fall on it from on his head he's gonna be devoted to you dedicated to you all the days of his life look at the promise she makes gonna be there now and she's gonna be my son and I have no one to be on his head and I have no other people that leave him and I'm gonna be on the page as a boy who died and I'm gonna be lucky for you all the days of his life look at the [00:27:45]

But if that wasn't good enough, church family, when you read verse 12, you'll find out about Hannah's persistence because she did not just pray one prayer. Hannah kept on praying. That's what verse 12 says. She kept on praying. May I please remind somebody in this church today that there will be some seasons in your life where circumstances and situations will not just allow you to pray a one and done prayer. There will be some things that press so heavily upon you that you have to keep on talking to God about the same thing over and over again. I need some witnesses on these rows in here who can testify, man, I've had to pray the same prayer over and over and over again. And I found out that even if God doesn't change the situation, God changes me in the situation so that my disposition is different on prayer number 10 than it was on prayer number two. Can I find 10 people in here who can testify every now and then, even when God doesn't change the situation, you feel your countenance changing. You feel your disposition changing. You feel a shift in your attitude. So you get up after prayer number 10 saying, hey, God, anyway, you bless me, Lord, I'll be sad. Can I find somebody in here who can testify? He's still in complete control and I'm going to trust him even when I can't trace him. [00:30:32]

wake your partner up say don't sleep on this man right now he's giving us some good information I said be not weary in well doing don't you give up now you've come too far don't you give up now you're a child of God you've got to be light in a dark world you got to keep on letting people around you know that even if he doesn't change it he's changing me and she prays persistently but she also prays passionately watch her passion she gets down to verse 15 she prays so tough Reverend Dr. Bob Williams that while she's praying Eli notices her he's the priest Eli notices her notice her lips are moving but ain't no words coming out has it ever gotten so tough on you that you you just oh I mean you're like you're doing Jesus huh and it gets it gets to that point sometime and she's there she's praying passionately out of the abundance of all the emotion that is within her so much so that Eli thought she was intoxicated thought she was inebriated cuz it was the festival time they had been eating and drinking wine there at the festival and he accused her of being drunk and she says no sir my lord I'm not drunk at all no no this is just passion I got so much going on in me right now and I need God to work this thing out I need him to turn my situation around I need him to heal and to restore I need to him to work a miracle in my life and I'm just praying out of the passion that's in my soul I need God to give me a child and I'm gonna give it right back to God so he might be dedicated to the Lord for the rest of his life and Eli hears her passion and he understands her passion and he says go in peace for you will have the request that you have made of God oh man y 'all let me set that up for the last four minutes and you sat there like oh I said that he she just made a request to the Lord she's passionately praying and persistently praying even out of her problematic and painful predicament and she keeps on praying and Eli's the man of God looks at her and says go in peace you're gonna have the petition that you have made of God oh child of God sometimes he changes you but sometimes he changes it and I don't know how you feel about it but I'm so grateful that I serve a God who is able to turn my situation around and he says go in peace Eli and Elkanah and and Hannah got up the next morning they worship God and then they went on back home and they had relations one with another and the Bible says okay that in the course of time she conceived and bore a son and named him Samuel [00:32:49]

You just missed the shell cue in verse 1. She was barren by the time we get to verse 20 She's got a son named Samuel because she prayed passionately and persistently even in her problematic painful predicament She believed that God was able to turn it around and I need some ride -or -die soldiers in this church today Who still believe that for God nothing shall be called impossible? I need some praying mamas to help me right here because you prayed your child through You prayed your son your daughter to the place where he or she is right now You still praying that God's gonna turn some things around in your child's life I need some brother in here who knows what it means to pray about a situation in your life To help me preach and testify that God is still able to turn things around in your life And the Bible says that she made a proclamation and here's her proclamation She named him Samuel Don't miss that she named him Samuel now every good Bible reader already knows that women never were given the privilege of naming their children The father would always name the child but she said listen here God has answered my prayer God has worked this thing out for me so I ain't studying your traditions and your mores right now I'm gonna name this one because Samuel means he heard me [00:35:35]

And I need two or three people in here who can look back over your life and see how God heard you in your pain and heard you in your predicament And heard you in your peril to open up your mouth and testify I'm so glad I serve a God who heard me Is there anybody in church today who can help me preach and begin to testify that God is so good that no matter how bad the situation is He'll hear you when you pray and he'll remember your turmoil and your trial And somebody ought to give God glory Cause that's not the end of Hannah's story Cause after God gave to her Samuel The Bible says That Hannah prayed again When you read chapter 2 You'll find out she prayed again But this prayer Byron was not a prayer of petition This prayer was a prayer of praise Cause when God does something for you That nobody else could do in your situation You can't act like he didn't do it You can't keep that thing to yourself You gotta go back on your knees Or stand up and walk around your room And tell God thank you For answering my prayer Is there a witness in church today Who's seen him fight your battle Seen him make a way Seen him restore your joy Seen him give you peace Seen him put a smile back on your face And you don't have a problem Opening up your mouth Lifting up your hands And giving God the glory That is due unto his name With my hands lifted up And my mouth filled with praise With a heart of thanksgiving I will bless you oh Lord Is there anybody in the building Who can testify He's worthy He's worthy He's worthy to be praised Somebody who's seen him fight your battle Go ahead and give him a good hallelujah Somebody who's seen him pay your bills Go ahead and shout thank you Somebody who's watched him take care of your family Go ahead and give him a glory If you know he's been good If you know he's made a way If you know he's lifted your head If you know he's put your broken [00:36:57]

He's giving me what I asked for He She begins to praise God The whole of chapter 2 The first part of chapter 2 Is Hannah just praying a prayer Of praise and thanksgiving Because God heard her And responded to her And gave her what she asked for I believe That we serve a prayer hearing And a prayer answering God Listen One of my favorite prayers of scripture One of my favorite prayers in all of scripture Is when Jesus stands In front of a whole crowd of people At the tomb of Lazarus And here's the first line of his prayer Father Father I thank you That every time I pray You hear me That's my favorite prayer in all of scripture Because that just comforts my soul And then the book of John says That this is the confidence that we have in him That if we ask anything According to his will We have the petition that we make of him He heard you He heard you And you need to walk in confidence That even if you have to wait on him To work it out The good news is He urged you Yes he did Yes he did Yes he did Yes he did Yes he did God I thank you That every time we call on you You hear us And I thank you that you have promised To answer us You said Call on me and I will answer you And show you great and mighty things That you know not of You said That the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous Availeth much You said If my people called by my name Will humble themselves and pray You would hear from heaven Forgive our sins And heal our land You said it We believe it And we're standing on your word We know that sometimes Our barrenness Tests Our belief So will you help us to pass the test In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ Will you help us to trust you And never doubt Knowing that you will surely Bring us out If we take our burdens to the Lord We can leave them there Because you hear us Comfort my people Comfort your people In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ Comfort them with the comfort That only you can provide And let them rest Assured That you Heard us In Jesus name Somebody shout hallelujah Somebody say amen Now clap your hands Like he heard you Thank you. [00:41:38]

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