Some Things Will Only Be Birthed Through Prayer

Some Things Will Only Be Birthed Through Prayer (Devotional for Single Women)

Family, Dating and Relationships
January 1, 2015
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“Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: ‘O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut'”. 1 Samuel 1: 10 – 11, NLT

If you’re unfamiliar with the story of Hannah, I’ll give you a brief recap. Hannah was the first wife to a man whose second wife had several children. That’s what men in the Bible days did. They had as many wives as they could afford, sometimes if the first wife was barren. Well, Hannah was barren. And Peninnah, the second wife, had baby after baby and rubbed it in Hannah’s face every chance she got. Poor Hannah wanted just one baby so badly that the taunting and her husband’s oblivion to the mess he’d created had finally wore her down. She broke down crying and pouring her heart out to God on a church alter during a “family” trip to a place called Shiloh.

Doesn’t that sound like a hot mess? You’re faithful to God, only to be rewarded by watching someone who is NOT faithful, receive time and time again what you have to beg God for?

But the story takes a turn for the BEST when the priest in the church addresses Hannah because she thinks she’s drunk in the house of God (imagine praying so bitterly and desperately that someone thinks you’re drunk). When Hannah explains that she was praying to God out of desperation, the priest blesses her so that God will grant her requests. Hannah leaves elated and snaps out of the misery, desperation and hopelessness she had over her situation. About a year later, she gives birth to Samuel, a prophet who ushered in a new era of leadership under God’s divine providence.

One of my sisters in Christ, Phaedra Anderson, posted on her Facebook wall that “Some things will only be birthed through prayer”. The Bible doesn’t state this either way, but I read this story frequently feeling like Hannah’s prayer is what birthed her first son, Samuel. And not only that, but she had several other children after Samuel. I also read that story again for the first time in 2015 feeling like I didn’t pray as often as I should have about my desire for marriage because I just was not sure God would hear me and move on my behalf. As a single woman, have you had that problem too?

“50% of all marriages end in divorce”. “You can’t date a man outside the church and expect him to start going”. “There aren’t many single men out here who are suitable for marriage”. “You’re better off single…there are so many problems that come with marriage”.

These are just some of the messages about singleness that led me to inaction in my prayer life due to fear. But one day, I prayed like Hannah and let go and left it all at my Father’s feet. And once I did, there was a shift.

It doesn’t just have to be your singleness that’s keeping you paralyzed in your prayer life. Maybe it’s an illness you’ve battled with all your life. Maybe it’s anxiety. Depression. Family of origin issues. Problems on your job. The fact that you don’t have a job but you’re actively looking for work. Maybe you’re struggling with isolation and you’re not sure who to reach out to. Whatever it is, I dare you to start praying in a way you never did before and watch God move on your behalf.

To help you take that next step, here’s a prayer for you:

Father God, I pray that you help remove the fear in my heart, mind and spirit that’s been keeping me from approaching you through prayer. Help me to find my purpose. Teach me how to pray. Teach me how to connect with others who know you and can teach me about you. Help me to read your Word with fresh eyes so that when I approach you in prayer, I know how to express the very fears and frustrations that weigh me down. Thank you for loving me, keeping me and never giving up on me. This I pray in your son Jesus’ name. Amen.