Though Scripture contains many written prayers, like those found in the book of Psalms, and many teachings on how to pray, like the parables and sermons in Jesus’s ministry, this reading plan focuses on the prayers offered to God in the narratives of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a narrative that includes a prayer from an individual or group. Their prayers vary in length, type, posture, purpose, and God’s response. The secondary passages explore how the rest of Scripture speaks to the themes demonstrated in the main reading.
While each account is different, every prayer recorded in Scripture teaches us about the unchanging God who invites us to speak to and hear from Him. These prayers model for us what it can look like to be in conversation with God. As you read, notice the posture and emotions present each day.
Reading Scripture together is the centerpiece of what we do at She Reads Truth. As we spend time as a community reading Prayers in Scripture together, we encourage you to start by reading the daily Scripture on your own. Then join us here to engage and encourage one another as we respond to what we’ve read in the comments.
How does the prayer in today’s reading match or not match your expectations of what prayer can be?
God doesn’t bargain with us. The word bargain was not present in Old Testament Jewish history. He knows our anguish, our despair, our own inadequacies and self sufficiency and still He knows and sees our heart towards Him. Bargain is a recent human viewpoint on how we look at who God really is, if we believe He’s not loving or won’t answer us or help us, then all is lost, but that’s only humanly speaking. Because God is always present, He won’t reject the broken contrite spirit that comes to Him with vulnerability and asks Him for help. Hannah wanted this joy for herself and for her husband and God answers her prayer. Was it because she vowed to give her firstborn to the Lord, maybe so. The first born was dedicated to the Lord. So I’m sure He took this a sign of His love for Jesus and honored her request.
The word bargain was not present in the Old Testament of the Jewish people. This is a recent human viewpoint in our selfish condition in our relationship with God in the present time. God does not bargain, He hears our cries, our hurt feelings of anguish and pain and responds to our brokenness. It says in His word, He will not reject the contrite spirit
We have to be very precise in our prayers.
Thank you for your encouragement
i find it easy to get lost in how vast and wide God is. He is so big, and has so many people to take care of, why would he need to listen to my prayers? this scripture reminds me that He is not forgetful. He doesn’t leave one behind. He hears it all and remembers it all because He cares.
The beginning of the prayer really reflects on how we can pray to things that we think we need, but not necessarily what God has planned for us. The symbol of her lips moving and nothing coming out of her mouth is very reflective of just how powerful God can be in prayer.
Sometimes God’s timing does align with what you think your timing is. You think he forgets you and you have doubts in His plan. But the Lord never forgets you. He always keeps his promises and he always answers your prayers. He is always working in your life, even when you don’t know it.
I really like this one. It reminds me of sacrifice. Hannah pleaded to God to give her a child. And she offered the child’s life to him. To be devoted and steadfast to his will. It reminds me to not just pray from my fleshly desires, but to pray from my heart and what’s His will.