Praying
“She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly.”
Do we believe that prayer changes things? Do we believe that something happens when we pray for other people? Jesus did. He was constantly praying for other people. Hannah did. She prayed so intensely for her personal need that Eli thought she was drunk. Hannah, though greatly loved by her husband, was taunted by the "other wife" for being childless. In her desperation, Hannah prayed to God for a son. She vowed that if her prayers were answered, the child would be dedicated to God. Samuel's birth gave Israel a great priest and prophet.
Hannah was not the only person who was so deeply disturbed that she wept as she prayed. Many are crying and praying around our world today. We need to add our prayers to theirs.
Dr. Fank Lauback, who taught millions to read, was a man of prayer. He once described in a letter to his son how his prayers took his thoughts from those near him to those down the road, and then out to friends around the world. Intercessory prayer has been defined as "loving our neighbor on our knees." Make daily prayer part of your Advent preparation.
For Reflection: For whom am I praying this advent season?
A Prayer Seed:
O Lord, make haste to hear my cry,
To you I call, on You rely.
Incline to me a gracious ear,
And when I call, in mercy hear.
The Psalter, 1912
