· The only way to be fulfilled is to let go of her desires.
· 1 Samuel 1: 6-8 - 6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
· 1 Samuel 1:9-11 - 9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house.10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “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, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
· 1. Deal in reality.
· 2. Connect the real you to the Real God
· “Father, no matter what response I get, I will stay connected to you.”
· 3. Make your Request
· What do you need ask for, for yourself
· What do you need to ask for?
· 1 Samuel 1: 18 - 18 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.
· 4. Pray until you have Peace
· John 14:27 - 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
· Philippians 4:6-7 - 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
· 20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”
· Father this is reality
· Father, I will stay connected to you
· Father, this is my request
· Father, bring me peace.
LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
Starter: Please share a time when God answered one of your prayers. Did it happen immediately or over time? What was the process?
Dig Deeper:
1. Read 1 Samuel 1:1-8
2. In your opinion, why does Peninnah make fun of Hannah?
3. In your opinion, what does it mean when the writer says, “The LORD had closed Hannah’s womb…” What does this teach us about God?
4. Read 1 Samuel 1:9-11
5. Hannah prays in deep anguish. What would make you pray in deep anguish?
6. Notice Hannah’s surrender: “If you give me a son, I will give him to you.” What might be something you need to let go of for God to answer your prayers?
7. Read 1 Samuel 1:19-20
8. Notice the phrase: “The Lord remembered her…” What does this phrase mean to you?
