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There is something different about desperation and prayer. We can say our prayers, but something happens when we are desperate. It changes our prayers from words to involving our whole being.
We see this in 1 Samuel 1, where Hannah is praying in the temple. Eli, the priest, sees her desperation. She is praying, but no words are coming out. He thinks that she is drunk.
In verses 15-18, “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. Don’t think I am a wicked woman. For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.” “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.”
This is “praying through,” which means we pour everything into the Lord. Think about it: We carry all of this stuff on the inside. We are like a soda bottle, discouraged and desperate, and everything is locked inside us. Prayer helps us pour out everything in us to the Lord.
Think about it: We must pour out everything inside of us so that God can fill us with His Presence, Peace, and Provision.
Lord, help me get desperate and pray with words and everything in me! Help me to pray through all the things that are in me.
Allow the words of this song to minister to you today: “What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. And what a privilege to carry. Everything to God in prayer. Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry. Everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anyway? We should not be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful. Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer.”
Let us learn to pray desperate prayers!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Church (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and significant emotional life experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is getting rave reviews. His daily devotional appears in this publication.
