1 Samuel 1-4, 8-13, 15

One of my favorite things to do as a kid was hanging out with neighbor friends. I remember riding bikes, playing football in the front yard, and going to the local skating rink to roller blade. But my favorite thing to do was have a sleep over. 

I remember many times going to my mom and asking if I could spend the night at someone’s house… and getting no as an answer. Then I’d go to my dad and ask the same question. He would say that I’d have to talk to my mom which, obviously, produced another no. I’m sure I tried just about every angle to be able to pack up my sleeping bag and head over to that friends house for some fun. I would ask again and again, hoping for a different answer. Maybe I thought I was a Jedi Knight and could convince them, “this is the fun I’m looking for.” 

Persistence is a great quality to have when you use it respectfully. You could be persistent in asking for a pay raise at work, a little less homework from your teacher, a trip to the park with your friends, or even something like your favorite meal at dinner time.

Have you ever wanted something really bad and asked for it again and again? What was it that you asked for and did your persistence produce what you expected?

In this chapter, we meet a young woman named Hannah. Everything in her life is great, except one thing: she wants a child but cannot have one. People around her notice this and someeven tease her for inability to get pregnant. This one lady named Peninnah relentlessly taunted and mistreated Hannah, mocking her because she couldn’t have her own child.

But Hannah was persistent. She could’ve been persistent in talking back to Penninah or in complaining about how bad her life was. Instead she was persistent in a different way. Hannah was persistent in praying to God. She kept on praying no matter how painful her grief was or how hard her life got.

In her prayers, Hannah bore her heart and soul to the Lord. They were prayers that she had prayed many times before, weeping and wanting God to hear and answer her. We see pray like this:

“LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life.” (1 Sam. 2)

Translation: God, I am miserable and frustrated. Can’t you see this? I want to have a son. If you give me a son, I will be sure to give him back in service to you!” Hannah poured her whole heart out to God, persistently asking for a son, not holding back anything that she was feeling.

When you feel frustrated or scared, or even happy and thankful, do you come before God and share everything that is on your heart?

Think even deeper: Is this something that happens only in your time of need, or do you persistently talk to God day after day, in the good and the bad times?

I wonder what your prayer life looks like. I know mine will always need some work. Many times I just forget, something else seems more important, or I’m too tired. Those are all really poor reasons not to come before an all powerful God. 

God tells us in his word: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Him.” (Phil. 4:6) and to “Pray without stoping!” (1 Thess. 5:17). God wants us to talk to him about everything, all the time!

Take some time right now to be silent, close out the distractions around you, and come before God in prayer. Offer him your whole heart. Don’t hold back your feelings, instead tell him all that is on your mind. Then listen and see how He responds. 

What’s next? Be persistent in your prayers. Do it again and again and again.