Key scripture – “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly.” (1 Samuel 1:10 NIV)

Have you ever cried out to God, I mean really cried out to Him? Today’s key scripture describes a woman who was crying out so hard to God it made her look half-crazy and drunk.

“In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly” (1 Samuel 1:10).

Hannah, poured out her soul-breaking pleadings to God in such a way that she didn’t look just crazy, but also drunk, and Eli, the priest, noticed her.

Hannah was crying out to God in a day when they looked down on spontaneous, unveiled expression, especially when it was a woman doing it in public. But Hannah was desperate, and in her desperation, Hannah had pushed aside the fear of man, and she was not worried about what other people thought about her.

The Bible says Hannah was praying so hard, her mouth was moving, but no sound came out. Distraught emotion distorted her expression.

“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.(1 Samuel 1:11-13).

Eli, the man of God, concludes, “This woman has had too much wine.”

“How long are you going to stay drunk?” he wrongfully challenges in 1 Samuel 1:14a (NIV). Hannah tells him that she’s only drunk with the desire to be a mother.

“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.” (1 Samuel 1:15-16).

Eli sees that what she says is true because he sees the wet tears on her face, and the heart behind the guttural pleadings erupting from her soul.

“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,” (1 Samuel 1:17-18, NIV).

The Lord blessed Hannah. “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.” (1 Samuel 1:20).

As you read the account of Hannah, I hope that you feel the need to pray, like Hannah, a prayer that is really from your heart where you talk to God about the good, the bad, and the ugly in your life and in your heart. When you pray like that you will find that it works. You will feel peace. All your problems may not be solved immediately, but your heart will be quieted. I believe when the Bible says to “cast your cares” on God in Psalm 55:22, this is what it’s talking about. “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22).

Don’t worry about people misreading and misunderstanding you when you pray as fervently as Hannah did, because prayer is the tool of an audaciously optimistic Christian, one whose faith rises above what their circumstances tell them to be true, and who is not worried about what other people think. If prayer makes us anything, it should make us strong and fervent because we know that nothing is impossible for our God, Who is the Creator of Heaven and earth and everything in it.

God already knows what’s going on in your heart and in your life. He knows all about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why not just get alone with God, pour out your heart to Him, be honest with Him, cry with Him, talk to Him, confess your sins, and cast each one of your cares on Him and let Him take care of them for you.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I haven’t been bringing myself to You with complete honesty. You know what’s inside of me and where the fear, bitterness, and anxiety rest. I am coming before You today and I am being totally honest with You about everything, I am free of all pretense. Jesus, you told us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). I come to You, Jesus and I give it all to You because I trust You to sort it out. I cast all my burdens on You and I take up Your yoke which is sweet, gracious, pleasant, forgiving, understanding, peaceful and lined with love. I know that if I ask anything according to Your will, that You hear me. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.