Prayer mingled with praise is a beautiful participation that goes beyond any other communication that we interact in.  We try to interrelate and develop a common bond on various levels with others but there is nothing that can equal this relationship we partake in by leaning on God in prayer.  We have a God who never sleeps and is always with us.  He enters into every feeling and need of our hearts and blesses relentlessly with His amazing presence.

In the prayer of Hannah in 1Samuel 2 we hear the echo of our hearts as she pours out her wonder in our incomparable God.

And Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart exults in the Lord;

my strength is exalted in the Lord.

My mouth derides my enemies,

because I rejoice in your salvation. 

I enjoy Peterson’s paraphrase of this: I’m bursting with God-news!  I’m walking on air.  I’m laughing at my rivals. I’m dancing my salvation.

Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord constantly” Phil. 4:4

The Psalmist prayed, “Will You not revive us again; that your people can rejoice in You?” Ps. 85:6

Experiencing an individual revival in our hearts where we feel God’s life in our soul and His presence in our lives is a moment-by-moment need.  God’s presence is always with us in the face of difficult circumstances.  Even though we feel weighted down with spiritual weakness because of the rigors of undesired pressures we can rest in His faithful working.  We may have to stand alone in misunderstanding from others who don’t come along side in our need. But we can rely and be confident in God’s enabling.  God’s reviving and new life in us keeps us from spiritual ruts. Hannah demonstrates in her prayer how to intertwine the appeals of her needs with praises of joy for God.

I’m reminded of the song by Casting Crowns “I’ll praise you in the storm” Though our heart is torn we’ll praise Him in the storm…our help comes from the maker of heaven and earth.  He is the one who is infinitely high and yet intimately near.

THE INEVITABILITY OF A SONG 1SAM. 2:1-11

DELIGHT IN GOD’S DELIVERANCE v.1

And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoices in the LORD, my horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over my enemies; because I rejoice in Your salvation.

DELIGHT IN GOD’S PERFECTION v.2 There is none holy as the LORD

   DELIGHT IN GOD’S SIGNIFICANCE    for there is none beside You

DELIGHT IN GOD’S SECURITY neither is there any rock like our God

DELIGHT IN GOD’S SENSIBILITY v.3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

DELIGHT IN GOD’S STRENGTH v.4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

DELIGHT IN GOD’S SATIRE v.5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

DELIGHT IN GOD’S SEVERITY v.6-7 The LORD kills, and makes alive: he brings down to the grave, and brings up. The LORD makes poor, and makes rich: he brings low, and lifts up.

DELIGHT IN GOD’S SUPPORT v.8-10

THE SWITCHING WITH OUR ENEMIES v.8 He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them.

THE SILENCE OF OUR ENEMIES v.9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

THE SUBJECTION OF OUR ENEMIES v.10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces;

THE SHATTERING OF OUR ENEMIES  out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.