This study may be especially meaningful for women, but it is for everyone. Pastor Kim focuses on the prayer of Hannah and what made her prayer so powerful.
The Power of Prayer
The first thing to understand about Hannah is that through prayer she got the Lord to answer her. Throughout old times, people sought magicians, witch doctors, false prophets, and pagan ritual leaders to call upon their gods. People expected these men to have supernatural power—to bring down rain, produce miracles, or cause something extraordinary to happen.
Those gods were false gods, and they did not have the power to answer prayer. Yet people expected that as soon as these men spoke to their gods, their gods would answer miraculously. But Christians serve the true God.
Does our God not have power? Should we not believe that prayer is more powerful than the supposed supernatural abilities of magicians and false prophets? God has the power to move mountains.
Jesus said:
Matthew 17:20: “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
The question is whether Christians actually believe in that power when they pray. Prayer is powerful. Giving life and bringing new life into the world is one of the most powerful things that can happen. Scientists and researchers have tremendous equipment and conduct countless experiments, yet they cannot produce life from non-life.
God, however, can produce life. God created life through His words. He spoke, and His words produced life through His living power.
This is where the story of Samuel begins.
What Started Hannah’s Prayer?
1 Samuel 1:4–8: “And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. 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?”
The thing that started Hannah’s prayer was her affliction (her adversary provoked her year after year).
Then we see what happened next.
1 Samuel 1:9–10: “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. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.“
That is what started her prayer.
Jealousy Can Produce Strong Prayer
Pastor Kim then considers what can produce strong prayer. When someone is jealous, that person can become very strong and insistent. Paul himself spoke of having a godly jealousy.
2 Corinthians 11:2: “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
A strong, godly jealousy can produce strong prayer. When something provokes a person deeply, that person will naturally pray harder. If a Christian sees wrong doctrines spreading and false pastors deceiving souls, that should provoke him to pray more passionately.
Pastor Kim explains that when he has been attacked or provoked by people, the provocation itself has produced strong prayer. He has prayed about situations involving people who attacked him, and he says he has subsequently seen God intervene in those situations.
The point is that something has to move a person deeply. Hannah was provoked. She was in bitterness of soul. She wept. And she prayed.
Fervent Prayer
The next part of Hannah’s prayer is especially important.
1 Samuel 1:10 “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.”
Pastor Kim emphasizes that prayer has to be fervent.
When was the last time a Christian shed tears in prayer? When was the last time someone prayed so fervently, as Jesus Christ did, that the intensity of the prayer was extraordinary?
Jesus Christ Himself prayed in deep anguish.
Luke 22:44: “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Powerful prayer requires the involvement of one’s whole being. The question is whether the heart is truly in the prayer or whether the prayer is merely words written on a piece of paper, read aloud so that a person can check a box and continue with the rest of the day.
Nothing is more dangerous than mechanical prayer. Jesus warned against vain repetition in prayer.
Matthew 6:7: “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”
At the same time, Pastor Kim warns against the opposite error: deliberately manufacturing emotions. There can be tears in genuine prayer, but Christians should not force themselves to cry. If someone is trying to force out the tears or manufacture an emotional response, that is not being led by the Holy Spirit.
The emotion should come naturally. If someone were deeply concerned about a loved one who was in danger of eternal destruction, that concern could naturally produce tears. A person would pour his heart into that prayer because the matter genuinely mattered to him.
The question is whether the heart is genuinely poured out or whether the emotion is being forced. Pastor Kim therefore criticizes churches that deliberately manufacture emotional responses by repeatedly extending altar calls and repeating songs in order to make people cry.
That is not revival.
The Most Powerful Answers to Prayer
Pastor Kim asks Christians to think about the most powerful answers to prayer they have ever experienced. Would they not honestly include some of the moments when they were in bitterness of soul?
Often, the greatest miracles and answers to prayer occur during the most dire and troubled moments. Some Christians wonder why they experience so much suffering and so many trials.
Pastor Kim says that one reason may be that their prayer life is weak. The Lord allows trials and trouble, just as Hannah experienced trouble when the LORD had shut up her womb. Hannah experienced travail and pain, and through that travail and pain her prayer became more sincere and powerful.
The more desperate the situation, the more deeply a person may pray. The greater the pain, the more sincere the prayer can become. Jesus Christ Himself prayed in great anguish.
Prayer Is Not Voice Only
Something else is revealed in Hannah’s prayer.
1 Samuel 1:12–13: “And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.”
Hannah’s prayer demonstrates that prayer is not voice only. She spoke in her heart.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that sincere and powerful prayer is determined by what they say to the Lord. Prayer can certainly be expressed through words, but prayer can also be expressed through the heart.
It can happen while a person is walking. It can happen in thoughts. It can happen through emotions when a person cannot properly express the words.
Paul explains that the Holy Spirit helps believers even when they cannot express what is taking place within them.
Romans 8:26: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
Prayer is therefore more than words. Prayer involves the Christian’s very living and being. If someone thinks that prayer time is only when he wakes up in the morning, before a meal, or before asking God to bless a Bible study, then he is not fully living a prayer life. A prayer life is not merely saying words.
Prayer is living in prayer.
Living in Prayer
Pastor Kim recounts a story told by Dr. Ruckman about a man who was known for having a powerful prayer life.
A younger man was curious about the secret to this older man’s powerful prayer life, so he secretly entered the older man’s house and hid underneath his bed. He heard the older man mumbling to himself and wondered whether the man was simply talking to himself. The older man went about his normal household chores while talking to the Lord. Eventually, he went to bed. The younger man expected to hear a long, formal prayer—perhaps fifteen minutes on his knees, with his eyes closed and a list of requests. Instead, the man simply went to bed, said goodnight to Jesus, and went to sleep.
The younger man realized the secret.
The older man was not merely praying during a designated prayer time. He was living his entire life in prayer. Wherever he walked and whatever he did, he was talking to the Lord. Prayer was not voice only. It was his life.
The question for Christians is therefore: Is their thought life prayer, or is it filled with vain imaginations?
Are their emotions governed by prayer, or by anger? If a person is constantly hot-headed and rash, he should consider whether he is living in prayer. Before acting impulsively, he should seek wisdom.
How does he get wisdom?
Through living in prayer. His thoughts should be in prayer. His emotions should be brought into prayer. His very being should be lived in prayer.
The Greatest Threat to Satan
Pastor Kim then points to another important truth.
Hannah was criticized when she was deep in prayer. When a Christian gets deeply involved in prayer, criticism will come. Why?
Because prayer is a great threat to the spiritual world of Satan.
The greatest threat to Satan is prayer.
Soul-winning is important. Planting a church is important. Christians need the whole armour of God. But there is a weapon that operates through prayer.
Ephesians 6:10–18 (KJV)
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
Prayer is part of spiritual warfare. If prayer is a weapon that genuinely threatens the enemy, then Christians should expect opposition. That is why criticism/attacks will come.
Daniel’s Prayer and Spiritual Opposition
Daniel prayed sincerely and powerfully, and the answer did not come immediately because of spiritual opposition.
Daniel 10:12–13 “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”
Daniel’s prayer was heard, yet spiritual opposition delayed the messenger.
Pastor Kim asks whether Christians have that kind of prayer life. A Christian’s prayer life should be such a great threat to the enemy that opposition comes against it. If a Christian has never experienced criticism or persecution connected with his spiritual life, Pastor Kim challenges him to consider whether his prayer life is truly a threat to the enemy.
Hannah’s Prayer Recorded in Scripture
This is why Pastor Kim emphasizes that God chose to record Hannah’s prayer in Scripture.
Hannah’s prayer is recorded in 1 Samuel 2: 1-11.
1 Samuel 2:1–11 “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. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 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. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.”
Pastor Kim particularly emphasizes the example of Hannah as a woman whose prayer life was recorded by God. He points out that Christians sometimes underestimate the spiritual influence a woman can have. Hannah’s prayer is in the Scripture. Her son Samuel became a man of prayer as well.
Hannah’s Influence on Samuel
Pastor Kim turns to 1 Samuel 12, where Samuel is known as a man of prayer. He emphasizes that a woman who is a prayer warrior can influence the next generation.
A mother can raise a child who becomes a prayer warrior. The principle is simple: children observe the example of their parents. The question is whether children saw the praying example while they were growing up.
Did they see their mother praying?
Did they see their father praying?
Did they see prayer as a way of life?
Some people later try to catch up in their prayer life, but Pastor Kim emphasizes that it is better to start now.
Do Not Stop Praying for Others
Samuel gives one of the strongest statements about prayer in Scripture.
1 Samuel 12:23 “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way.”
Samuel considered ceasing to pray for others to be a sin against the LORD. He learned that from his mother. That is the example Christians should follow.
A person should not stop praying for someone simply because the pastor is not living right, because the pastor’s children are not living right, or because other people in the church have become a bad testimony. Christians sometimes become bitter because they see the failures of leaders or other believers. They may use those failures as an excuse to stop serving God, leave church, or wreck their own lives.
Hannah did not do that. Eli had serious failures. His sons were a terrible testimony. Yet Hannah did not follow their example. She made sure that her son did not follow that example.
The LORD used Samuel.
Pastor Kim therefore warns Christians never to use a pastor or a church as an excuse to stop following the Lord. Do not allow another person’s failure to destroy your own relationship with God. Do not allow another person’s example to become an excuse for abandoning prayer.