Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears. 1 Samuel 1:10 HCSB
My father was diagnosed with a brain tumor for which his doctor suggested surgery. He explained the tumor would eventually grow back, but the surgery would potentially give my father a few more years of life. Sadly, the surgery left him paralyzed on the left side of his body and out of necessity, we placed him in a nursing/rehabilitation facility. Within just a few weeks my father was worse and the doctor determined that the tumor had returned and was bigger than before surgery. There was nothing else that could be done for him and comfort measures were instituted. I went to the chapel and cried out to the Lord in prayer asking for God to intervene and bring healing to my father’s body or to go ahead a take him home to heaven where he would no longer be in pain or experience suffering. God answered my prayer and my father died just nine weeks from the time he was diagnosed with cancer. God did not answer my prayer as I would have wanted, but He did answer my prayer.
Hannah had been praying for years that she would have a baby. Having children was considered to be an honor and a blessing from God. She was downcast and cried out to God to answer her prayer and give her a son. Even though Hannah was discouraged, she faithfully brought her requests before the Lord because she knew that He was able to help her.
Challenge: Do you have a request you have fervently prayed for many years? Do your prayers seem to be just hitting the ceiling? You can be assured that God is constantly at work and hears your prayers. He understands your feelings and thoughts. Continue to pray. God will answer in His perfect timing. Trust Him with all of your longings.