When God Doesn’t Answer Right AwaySample

Pouring Out Your Heart

On one of Hannah’s pain-filled trips to worship at Shiloh, she went to pray. The Bible says Hannah was in “deep anguish” and she cried “bitterly.” Through her tears and sorrow, she prayed to God and asked for a son. In her petition, she promised to dedicate her son to the Lord for his entire life. Her prayer was powerful, heartfelt, and so undignified, the priest on duty, Eli, thought she was drunk! He scolded Hannah for coming to a place of worship in such a state. Hannah corrected him and explained she was discouraged and was at the altar pouring her heart out in prayer to the Lord. Eli responded to her, “May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” Eli’s response greatly encouraged Hannah and she was no longer sad.

Remember, Hannah experienced the pain of her childlessness at Shiloh specifically for years. Scripture says, “Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears…”. At each of these visits, Hannah felt the same anguish and sorrow she felt on the day she met Eli. It’s hard to imagine this was the first time she went to pray for a child at the Tabernacle. Despite her years of hope deferred, Hannah didn’t turn away from God or curse Him. She knew God alone could fulfill her longing. In her prayer, she honored God by calling Him “Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” She invited God into her situation and vowed that God would be glorified in her miracle. Once she was blessed with the child she had dreamt of, she wouldn’t forget the Holy One who came through for her.

Hannah didn’t give up on the power of prayer. She still took her pain and emotions to God and prayed, despite seeing nothing in this area of her life. Hannah didn’t put on a pretense or performance before the Lord. She allowed herself to be honest with God, showing how she felt, even while praying in a public place.

Hannah also recognized her breakthrough could serve a bigger purpose for God’s glory by vowing to honor God when her longing was fulfilled. Jesus instructs us to pray similar to Hannah. In Matthew 6, Jesus taught us to begin prayer by honoring God and acknowledging Him as our Father. Jesus also directs us to pray, “May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” Hannah asked for a son and offered him back to God for His will and purposes. That’s “your will be done” lived out. Hannah didn’t pray like a performer— she prayed like a daughter, despite being in a holy and religious setting.

No matter the pain you feel, you can approach God with your real emotions. You don’t need to put on a performance of having it all together for God to hear and answer your prayers. And don’t think God ever tires of hearing from you. Hannah went to God with her request after years of experiencing infertility. By repeating her prayer to God, Hannah’s actions showed she still believed God heard her and cared for her. Keep pouring out your heart to God. Even if you’ve prayed the same prayer a thousand times, don’t stop coming to Him. God is not tired of you. He hears you, and He cares. You don’t have to pray perfectly, you just have to pray honestly and keep coming back.

Hannah’s story doesn’t end with a prayer—read Day 3 to see what happens when God answers, and what she does next.

Anchor Thought:

God hears me and never tires of my prayers.

Short Prayer:

Father, I bring the desires of my heart to you. Thank you for hearing my prayers, no matter how much time has passed. Help me to trust that you care for me, even when I haven’t seen the answer yet. Show me how to glorify you in my waiting and my breakthrough. Amen.