Prayer Warriors

Beautiful Daughters of Christ,

Can I please start by praying for you tonight?

God,
I just want to thank you for these beautiful girls you've placed in my life. Lord, help them to find their worth in you and seek Your face through everything. You are our strength and our shield; You are where our help comes from. Help us to seek shelter under Your wing. Only You can heal us. Open our hearts to what You want us to learn. Give us the strength to love as You have loved us.
In Your Most High Name.

Who of you have ever had someone or something that just poked and prodded at you? That huge thorn in your side? I know I have; I'm actually dealing with one right now.
I'm here to tell you that they never go away. But, if you seek God's face through it all, it will truly give you peace.
The main passage I want to point you guys to tonight is 1 Samuel 1. It's really long, so I'm not going to type it all, but please go read it.

Let me summarize it for you though.
This is the story of Hannah- one of my most favorite women in the Bible (along with Martha and Ruth.) Hannah was married to a man named Elkanah who also had another wife, Peninah. Hannah was barren, which means she couldn't have children, but this was her deepest desire. Peninah, on the other hand, could and she tore Hannah apart about it. She poked and prodded and picked and that wound. Hannah was so depressed that she wouldn't eat and she would just cry.
Well, every year, their family went to Shiloh to the house of the Lord. After they had finished eating, Hannah went to the temple.

I just want to point this out real quick. Let this be an example for our lives. When you're in pain; when someone has hurt you; when you have a desire, take it to the Lord. You can just pray to yourself. But turn to Him first and foremost.

Okay, back to Hannah. Well, like I said she went to the temple to pray. Her soul was grieved and she prayed to the Lord and wept a lot. Her heart was very heavy. She prayed to the Lord (I'm imagining her BEGGING God.) And said "please, please God look at my affliction and think of me! Don't forget about me! I'm begging you to give me a child, and I promise I will give him back to you, just please let me have a child! It's what I desire more than anything in the world. Also, I will never shave his head!" (I totally paraphrased this). She continued praying, and Eli was watching her. Hannah prayed in her heart, and didn't say anything, but she moved her mouth. Because of this, Eli accused Hannah of being drunk! That's right, in the middle of her broken prayer, Eli actually scolds her of being drunk! (Never jump to conclusions, girls. Be understanding and compassionate. We are here to love, not judge.) Hannah answered and told him no, I'm just completely broken and my heart is heavy, I'm not drunk, I'm just pouring my soul out to the Lord My God! Don't see me as a daughter of Belial (A demon in the Bible) I'm just grieved.
Do you think Eli felt as tall as an ant??
Then Eli told her to go in peace. That the God of Israel will answer her prayers.
She was filled with joy, and they both fulfilled their promises.

Loves, satan will ALWAYS be looking for a way to tear you down. He walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. (1 Peter 5:8)

Seek God in everything. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
"Praying always with all pray and supplication in the Spirit" Ephesians 6:18
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall pass all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" Philippians

God can conquer your peninah. Trust in Him. Pray always, seek wise council and trust in the Lord.
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19.