Spiritual DisciplinesSample

Day 5- Prayer of Praise

Discover: The first passage outlines Hannah’s prayer to God blessing her with a son, whom she would name Samuel. This prayer is a song of thanksgiving and praise for His faithfulness and deliverance that is expressed with confidence and loyalty. 1 John 5:14-15 explains that believers can have confidence in that their prayers are heard by an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God.

Learn: In 1 Samuel 1, we find out that Hannah was not able to have a child for many years. As a result of this, Hannah made a vow to God that if He gave her a child, she would dedicate him to the Lord for his entire life. Even though Hannah was in deep despair, she had kept her faith in God. God eventually heard that prayer and answered that prayer by giving Hannah a son. This response was not just one of gratitude, this prayer was a deep and personal reflection of who God is and explains His sovereignty and justice. Because of the many blessings, small and big, in her life, Hannah was able to give God praise and express confidence in God’s ability to do anything. Likewise, the apostle John notes that all believers can have confidence in their prayers because God hears them. Whether it is a big request to God, a prayer of thanksgiving, or opening up your heart to Him, God hears you and wants you to talk to Him. Together, these two passages teach us that prayer is not just a way to ask God for things, but it is a way to align our hearts with God’s will.

Apply: In prayer, we can go to God with confidence and not be afraid to talk to God. We should run to God in all circumstances, thank Him for the blessings in our lives, and talk to Him. No matter the challenges, difficulties, or problems you have in your life, know that God is sovereign, in control of all things, and is listening to you. Hannah asked for a son and God delivered. This does not mean we can just ask God for anything and He will give it to us. God is not our personal genie. Instead, God is a Good Father who gives His children what they need. When we align our prayers to God’s will, He will give us good gifts that show His faithfulness. In the midst of it all, we should offer prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God because of His goodness and His greatness.

· In what way does Hannah’s experience of waiting on God shape the way she prays? How can you apply this attitude of patience and trust in your own prayer life?

· What does it mean to have confidence in your prayers?

· What does it mean to align our prayers with God’s will?

· How does knowing that God is sovereign and in control of all things impact the way you pray?

· What practical steps can you take to develop a more confident and consistent prayer life?