21 Days of Prayer - Persevereናሙና

When You Desire Something Deeply

An advocate is a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause. Hannah was an advocate (and still is) in her own right for people desperately seeking something in particular from the LORD. In her case, Hannah desperately wanted a child, a son. However, her desire didn’t come without hardship. Hannah persevered through being taunted and suffering cruelty while waiting on the Lord.

God promises in Matthew 7:9-11 that God gives good gifts to those who ask Him. God knows the very desire that you have in your heart, and He doesn’t play games with your emotions. What you’re desperately seeking will come, but you must believe that it will happen for and to you.

Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Hannah’s faith is evident by her continual specific prayers to God for a male child. Her faith was so strong that she assigned purpose to her request before her prayer was even answered. She knew that when she received her son, she would give him right back to the Lord.

What will you do with what you ask God for once you receive it? This may be the security in your waiting, assigning purpose to your desire before you receive it. I believe God is letting you know through this story your requests must have a purpose. Hannah assigned her desires back to God! So listen, don’t give up; your answer is closer than ever. Take some time to think about assigning purpose to what you’ve been asking God for.

As we close our discussion on Hannah and her perseverance, here are a few things to remember about her as she waited for what she most desperately desired:

Hannah was humble.

Hannah was a woman of prayer.

Hannah was a committed worshiper.

Hannah was consistent and didn’t waiver in her belief.

Hannah was focused on God, not distracted by her tormentors.

Hannah was a woman of wisdom.

Hannah walked with integrity.

Hannah didn’t allow her heart to be hard and bitter.

Hannah kept her word.

Hannah was obedient.

Hannah was grateful.

Hannah was an advocate.

The Lord chose Hannah and her life story to inspire us and prevent us from misplaced faith. God’s timing in this story and Hannah’s prayer are a powerful testimony to those in waiting and empower us with the expectation that the answer will come. While we wait, may we persevere with the same character that Hannah exhibited.

Continue praying in faith, place purpose on your unanswered prayer, and watch how God will fulfill every desire of your heart that is aligned with His will!

Paulette Baker

Prayer Point: What do you deeply desire that you haven’t received from God yet? Pray for God’s perfect will to be done.