The Faith Pillars · The Prayer
The Prayer: Hannah's Story
October 1, 2026
The Pain of Waiting
Hannah's story is a beautiful example of what it means to stay connected to God through prayer.
Hannah deeply desired to have a child. Year after year, she carried the disappointment and pain of waiting. There were times when she cried and didn't even feel like eating. Yet even in her hurt, Hannah continued to seek God.
She Took It to God
Instead of allowing her pain to pull her away from Him, she took it to Him.
Hannah went to the temple and poured out her heart before God. She prayed so deeply that Eli, the priest, saw her lips moving but couldn't hear her words. Hannah explained that she wasn't doing anything wrong—she was pouring out her soul to the Lord.
Something Changed Before the Answer Came
Afterward, Hannah got up, ate, and continued on.
Her situation had not changed yet, but something within Hannah had.
Eventually, God answered her prayer, and she gave birth to Samuel.
But there is something important for us to learn from Hannah before the answer came:
- She prayed.
- She stayed connected to God.
- She continued living.
- And she kept moving.
The Lesson
Prayer isn't only about asking God to give us something. Prayer is where our relationship with God grows deeper.
When life becomes difficult, we don't want our circumstances, distractions, disappointments, or even our own feelings to keep us from seeking Him.
The more we seek God, the more we learn His heart.
And sometimes, while we're praying for God to change our situation, He is strengthening and changing us.
A Prayer to Draw Closer to God
Heavenly Father,
Teach me how to pray.
Give me a greater hunger for You and a desire to spend time in Your presence. Help me to seek You not only when I need something, but because I want to know You more.
Teach me to talk to You honestly and to bring everything that is on my heart before You, just as Hannah did.
Don't let the distractions of life, disappointment, waiting, fear, or anything else become more important than my relationship with You.
Draw me closer to You. Strengthen my prayer life and help me become more sensitive to Your voice and Your direction.
When I don't know what to pray, teach me.
When I become distracted, draw me back.
When I become discouraged, remind me to seek You.
And when I have to wait, help me remain connected to You.
Create in me a hunger for Your Word, Your presence, and a deeper relationship with You.
I don't want to only seek Your hand for what You can do for me.
I want to seek Your heart so that I can know You more.
Teach me to pray.
Teach me to listen.
Teach me to trust.
And as I grow closer to You, help me to keep trusting, keep believing, and keep moving.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
With Faith and Purpose,
Sebrina Petterson
Faith Pillars: The Word • The Prayer • The Walk