Many people approach prayer as if it’s a way to convince God to do what they want. But true prayer isn’t about changing God’s plans—it’s about allowing God to change us.
A perfect example of this is Hannah, the mother of Samuel. Her story teaches us that prayer isn’t about bending God’s will to fit ours, but about aligning our hearts with His.
1. Hannah’s Desperate Prayer
Hannah’s story is found in 1 Samuel 1. She was barren, unable to have children, and deeply grieved. Year after year, she went to the temple, pouring out her heart to God.
📖 1 Samuel 1:10 (KJV)
“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.”
At first, Hannah may have prayed simply for a child to remove her shame. But something shifted in her prayer. Instead of just asking for a son, she surrendered her desire to God’s will.
📖 1 Samuel 1:11 (KJV)
“O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life…”
Hannah didn’t just ask for a son anymore—she offered to give him back to God.
Her prayer didn’t change God’s plan—her prayer changed her.
2. Prayer Aligns Us with God’s Will
Hannah’s prayer was no longer just about what she wanted—it became about what God wanted. When she surrendered her desire to Him, she found peace before she even received an answer.
📖 1 Samuel 1:18 (KJV)
“So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.”
This is what true prayer does:
✔ It shapes our hearts to desire what God desires.
✔ It releases our worries into His hands.
✔ It grows our faith, teaching us to trust His perfect timing.
3. God’s Answer and Hannah’s Obedience
God eventually answered Hannah’s prayer, and she gave birth to Samuel, who became one of Israel’s greatest prophets. But the real miracle wasn’t just that she had a child—it was that God prepared her heart to fulfill His plan.
Hannah kept her vow and gave Samuel back to the Lord’s service. She didn’t hold on to what God gave her selfishly. Instead, her prayer had already prepared her to surrender him joyfully.
📖 1 Samuel 1:27-28 (KJV)
“For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord.”
Her story reminds us that prayer isn’t about trying to change God’s will—it’s about allowing Him to change our hearts so we can joyfully walk in His plans.
How Can We Pray Like Hannah?
1️⃣ Be honest with God. Pour out your heart to Him, just as Hannah did. He already knows your struggles.
2️⃣ Be willing to surrender. Don’t just pray for what you want—ask God to shape your desires to align with His will.
3️⃣ Trust His timing. God’s answer may not come immediately, but He is always working behind the scenes.
4️⃣ Prepare to obey. When God answers your prayer, will you be ready to walk in obedience, like Hannah?
A Heart Transformed by Prayer
Hannah came to God in deep sorrow, but through prayer, she left transformed—not because she got what she wanted, but because she surrendered to God’s perfect plan.
📖 1 John 5:14 (KJV)
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”
When we pray, let’s not try to change God’s mind—let’s allow Him to change our hearts so that we can trust, obey, and walk in His will with joy.
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