1 Samuel 1:11

Dave Earley's book "The 21 Most Effective Prayers of the Bible" examines powerful prayers from Scripture that produced results.

Have you ever felt like your prayers were hitting a ceiling? Perhaps you are holding onto a dream so tightly your knuckles have turned white. The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 offers profound hope for those in waiting seasons. Chapter 5 focuses on the prayer of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:11, where she passionately asks God for a son. Hannah’s heartfelt plea, "Remember me" comes from a place of deep sorrow and longing, as she has been unable to conceive and suffers ridicule because of it. In her prayer, she makes a vow to God: if He grants her a son, she will dedicate him to the Lord’s service for life.

Earley highlights Hannah’s example of powerful, fervent prayer. Her words are marked by sincerity, humility, and commitment, which Earley suggests are essential for effective prayers. Hannah’s persistence in prayer, despite her distress and the seeming hopelessness of her situation, reveals the strength of her faith. Earley points out that Hannah’s prayer was not just about receiving a blessing for herself; it was an act of worship and devotion, promising to give back what she received. This chapter teaches that when we pray with genuine faith, surrender, and a heart open to God’s will, we invite His transformative power into our lives.