Ask in prayer - Receive in Faith

Prayer connects us with God. It's our source of communication. Faith is the belief that God hears and in his time, responds in ways that are best for us and for his purposes. Prayer and faith together communicate our desires to God and move his hand in response as we wait in faith for his answers. 

If you've followed our blog for awhile, you know that Hannah is one of my favorite biblical women. She is found in 1 Samuel 1, and I encourage you to read her story sometime today.  The chapter begins with her prayer at the temple steps. She is laying her heart out to the Lord. She prayers with her whole being that she would bear a son whom she would raise to serve the Lord. Her body was sprawled on the steps of the temple. Her mind was steadfast on the fact that her God will answer her plea. And her heart  was bare and raw as she poured out her earnest desires. I love the passion and realness in her prayer. 

However the way Hannah leaves her place of prayer is what delights my heart. Scripture says, "Then she went on her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. Early the next morning they (she and her husband) arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home in Ramah." 

(v. 18-19)

Do you see it? Do you see her faith? She poured out her heart. She arose. Refreshed. And worshiped God. Yet nothing had changed. But in faith she knew that laying her petitions before the Lord, he would hear and move in response. Just as Mark 11: 24 states:

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.   Mark 11:24

Friend, I don't know what is on your heart today, but I do know that if you've laid it out before the Lord, He will respond as you wait in faith.

Oh, and by the way, Hannah's prayer is answered. However she did have to wait and in the wait, her faith grew stronger! Verses 19-20 finish this way: "Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying "Because I ask the LORD for him."