PRAYER

Hannah went to the tabernacle not only in pain, but also in passion. She wanted to birth a child, badly. It wasn’t Peninnah’s provoking that instigated her passion; Hannah really wanted to have a child. She wanted it so much that she came to the altar in tears and made a vow, promising to give the child back to God. Pain and passion pushed Hannah into her destiny.

Whoever told you there would be no pain in pursuing your dream was dishonest. Even Jesus had to go through pain to redeem us. He went to the cross in severe pain. He hung on the cross in excruciating pain. His passion strengthened him to endure the pain that would save the world. We were the only “anesthesia” Jesus needed to stay on the cross.

Pain and passion are the midwives of destiny. In pain and passion, Hannah gave birth to Samuel. In pain and passion, Jesus gave birth to the church. In pain and passion, you will give birth to your destiny.

Birthing destiny requires you to bring your pain and your passion to the altar before God and pray. Eli could not ease Hannah’s pain nor fulfill her passion. She had to bring it to God, because some things can only come from God. Making your request known before God brings peace to pain and passion. That is prayer.

Every year, Elkanah, Hannah, and Peninnah traveled to Shiloh and to the tabernacle to worship and make sacrifices to the Lord. This was the year, however, that would change the world. This would be the year that not only would a child be born, but a promise be birthed. Like Hannah, our prayer can birth a promise. She went before the Lord and poured out her soul in such a way that she appeared intoxicated. When was the last time you poured out your soul before the Lord to the point that you were staggering in his presence? 

There has never been a year like 2020. Even through a pandemic, racial tensions and divides, political turmoil, and more, we have to endure. Yet, in the middle of these traumatic circumstances, we must drop to our knees, bringing pain and passion and laying them on the altar before the Lord, because it will take prayer to change the world!