Pastor John’s Blog

There are times when we feel so weighed down by burdens that it becomes difficult to articulate what we want to say to God. Such heaviness provides us an opportunity to pour our heart before the Lord. This type of prayer does not require eloquent speech, only tears, and the soul cleansing that it affords us is significant. Hannah did such a prayer when she went before the Lord to ask for a child because she was barren. 1 Samuel 1:10 tells us that “Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord” (NLT). The priest Eli, “Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound…thought she had been drinking” (1:13, NLT). But she could not form words because the sorrow was so great and the tears were so many. We get a sense of the depth of her anguish in her reply to Eli: “I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord…I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow” (1:15-16, NLT).

When Eli finally understood what was happening he gave her this blessing that contained a promise: “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him” (1:17, NLT). This was not just a desire that he was expressing but a promise of assurance, as if to say “God has heard you, so go in peace.” God heard this woman’s speechless prayer that was expressed only through thoughts and tears. This prayer had so cleansed her soul and the words of Eli given her so much comfort that she replies, “Oh, thank you, sir!’… Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad” (1:18, NLT). So if your heart is heavy today go an empty it out before the Lord. No words needed, only tears. He will hear you!