Living with Courage
Week 5: Courage to Pray
“Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim,
and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of
Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 2 And he had two wives; the name of
the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah
had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 And this man went up out of
his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh.
And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were
there. 4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah
his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: 5 But unto Hannah
he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up
her womb. 6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret,
because the Lord had shut up her womb. 7 And as he did so year by year
when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. & Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah,
why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved?
am not I better to thee than ten sons? 9 So Hannah rose up after they had
eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat
by a post of the temple of the Lord. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and
prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. 1l And she vowed a vor, and said, O
Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid,
and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine
handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his
life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” (1 Samuel 1:1-11)
INTRODUCTION
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (1 Samuel 1:1-11)
1. Courage in
“But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his
wife; 8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain,
but one flesh. 9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put
asunder.” (Mark 10:6-9)
A. Hannah Was
“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the
womb is his reward.” (Psalm 127:3)
“but the Lord had shut up her womb.” (1 Samuel 1:5)
Quote: “There is no attribute of God more comforting to His
children than that of divine sovereignty. Under the most
adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe
that sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that sovereignty
overrules them, and that sovereignty will sanctify them all.”
-Charles Spurgeon
B. Hannah Was
Quote: “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but
only empties today of its strength. —Charles Spurgeon
2. Courage in
“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.”
(Mark 10:6-9)
“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth will
I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is
higher than I.” (Psalm 61:1-2)
Quote: “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of
true faith is the end of anxiety.” -George Müller
A. Hannah’s
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought
always to pray, and not to faint;” (Luke 18:1)
“Praying aleays with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
a n d watching thereunto with all perseverance a n d supplication
for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)
Quote: “Prayer moves the arm that moves the world.”
-Charles Spurgeon
B. Hannah’s
“And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt
indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember
me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine
handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all
the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.”
(1 Samuel 1:11)
Quote: “Hannah did not ‘bargain’ with the Lord; rather; she
proved her spirituality by willingly offering God her best -her
firstborn son.” - Warren Wiersbe
C. Hannah’s
“And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before
the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and
Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.
20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about
after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his
name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.”
(1 Samuel 1:19-20)
“And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with
three bullocks, and one ephah of flour; and a bottle of wine, and
brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child
was young. 25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child
to Eli. 26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord,
I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.
27 For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my
petition which I asked of him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him
to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And
he worshipped the Lord there.” (1 Samuel 1:24-28)
Quote: “What a testimony from a godly mother! If we had more
parents like Elkanah and Hannah, we would have more godly
people like Samuel.. Samuel belonged to the Lord for the rest of
his life.”—Warren Wiersbe
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in
truth.” (3 John 4)
3. Courage to
A. With Praise for
“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord,
mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over
mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. 2 There is none
holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there
any rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let
not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of
knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” (1 Samuel 2:1-3)
“O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put
my trust in thee. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me;
for I wait on thee.” (Psalm 25:20-21)
B. With Praise for
“There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee:
neither is there any rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so
exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth:
for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are
weighed. God’s people have always found Him to be a rock of
refuge and strength.” (1 Samuel 2:2-3)
“Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my
strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. 3 For thou art my
rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and
guide me.” (Psalm 31:2-3)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
(Psalm 46:1)
C. With Praise for
“Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to
him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to
offer the yearly sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 2:19)
CONCLUSION