A Prayer of Hope and Faith

Lent is a time of fervent prayer. Are our prayers merely a punctuation mark during the day or times to petition God in hope and faith that He will answer? 

From an Africa Study Bible touch point: 

Augustine (AD 354–430), a well-known leader of the early church whose writings are often still read today, was born in northern Africa in a place that is today called Algeria. He wrote:

As you consider the example of Hannah, pray earnestly to overcome your trials and the temptations of this world. Pray in hope. Pray in faith. Pray in love. Pray earnestly and patiently.

Elkanah’s wife and mother of Samuel prayed with sorrow of mind and brokenness of heart because she had no sons. God gave her Samuel, and she dedicated him to the Lord in fulfilment of the vow she had made when she had prayed that God might give her a son. 

Today: 

Just like Hannah, are there things in your life making you sad and helpless because you feel you have no control over them? Bring one of these issues before God today. Ask him to help you. Don’t be ashamed of expressing yourself in your plea—Hannah was accused of being drunk because of how passionate her prayer was! Pray like Hannah in faith and hope believing that God has the best answer for you. You can, if you like, also talk to a church leader to pray with you.