Hope Gives Peace

I was reading 1 Samuel 1 recently, and this passage about Hannah made me think about what it means when another comes alongside you to agree with you in prayer before the Lord. It means hope. Hannah's response to Eli's words, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to Him.” (1 Samuel 1:17, ESV) was, "Let your servant find favor in your eyes." And then she "went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad." 1 Samuel 1:18 (ESV)

 

Think about it. Someone, though, not at first, agreed with her sorrowful pleas before the Lord.

 

Her husband's other wife didn't. Instead, she “provoked her grievously to irritate her.”

 

Even her husband didn’t. He said, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” Logical and reasonable questions, but just not coming alongside.

 

Although Eli at first questioned her, thinking she was drunk, after hearing her heart, he came alongside her.

 

That’s what I love about praying with other moms. They hear my heart as I pray for my child. AND then they come alongside me in prayer.