In the story of Hannah, we see someone coming to God in a moment of profound personal grief. In her "deep anguish," Hannah turns to prayer (1 Samuel 1:10 NIV).

This moment doesn't seem like it has to do with politics at first. But Hannah's prayerful attitude puts her at the center of God's redemptive political action in ancient Israel. Hannah sees that the Lord is the one who "humbles and . . . exalts" (1 Samuel 2:7 NIV). Her story of moving from shame to exaltation gets caught up in the bigger story that ultimately leads to Jesus' death and resurrection.

For us, too, when we start in prayer, we may find ourselves caught up in God's purposes far beyond what we could anticipate.

Sources: 1 Samuel 1:9-20 (NIV)

1 Samuel 2:1-10 (NIV)

Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God (New York: HarperCollins, 1998).

Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth (New York: HarperCollins, 1978, 1998, 2009, 2018).

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