“She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.”
1 Samuel 1:10
In this Sunday’s message, Pastor Josh Kelsey explores the Prayer That Shapes the Future. Looking at Hannah’s story shows us that prayer is not just asking but becoming, not just seeking but surrendering.
The Place of Prayer — Bitter, Distressed, Honest, Holy Ground
- Hannah prayed in the midst of deep pain.
- Israel was in a spiritual, moral, and political crisis, led by corrupt priests (1 Samuel 1:10; Judges 21:25).
- Her barrenness mirrored the nation’s spiritual barrenness.
- Yet, in her anguish, she did not turn away, she pressed in.
- Prayer becomes holy ground when we bring God our raw honesty and trust His character beyond our feelings (Hebrews 5:7).
The Pivot of Prayer — From Asking to Offering
- Hannah moved from pleading to presenting: “If you will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life.” (1 Samuel 1:11)
- True prayer always transforms the heart first.
- Romans 12:1 calls us to present our lives as living sacrifices.
- Worship is offering, not just requesting.
The Power of Prayer — Aligned with God’s Future
- Hannah conceived in due time (1 Samuel 1:20).
- God used her prayer to birth Samuel, a prophet and judge who would call Israel back to righteousness.
- This is revival, when prayer doesn’t just change circumstances but reshapes a nation.
- The Third Great Awakening in America began with a small prayer meeting, leading to over a million conversions.
- Revival starts when we collapse on core theology: we are made in His image, created to worship and glorify Him.
The Proof of Prayer — A Changed Person
- Before Samuel was born, Hannah’s face was no longer sad (1 Samuel 1:18).
- Prayer reshaped her heart before her circumstance shifted.
- Prayer isn’t merely about outcomes, it’s about becoming someone new (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Discussion Questions
- Where do you need prayer to reshape you before it changes anything around you?
- What would it look like for you to move from asking to offering in prayer?
- How might God be calling you to align your prayers with His future for your life, your relationships, and your community?
