1 Samuel 1:12
And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
Hannah is one of the great prayer warriors in the Scriptures. She had a great need, a need so great that the Scriptures record her as being in bitterness of soul. The word bitterness is the same word we use for agony. She desired her prayer to be answered so badly that she agonized over getting it answered. It reminds us of our Saviour in Luke 22:44, where it says about His prayer, And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Hannah had become so desirous and passionate about having a child that she prayed in bitterness or agony of soul. However, when you look at what she did to get her prayer answered when she was in bitterness of soul, you will find some great answers to getting your prayers answered.
There is no doubt that some requests are greater than others. It is not that one request is unimportant because every prayer we pray is important, but there are some requests that we truly need God to answer to change the status quo in our lives. Let me share the actions needed to get prayers answered to change the status quo.
First, you must pray to change the status quo in your life. You can need a change in your life, but God cannot change whatever is going on if you don't pray. God chooses to use prayer as the avenue in which He meets our needs. You will rarely see God give your needs until you learn to pray. Never taking time to pray is the greatest waste of time, for prayer is where God chooses to meet the need of the hour.
Second, tears are the second action to get prayers answered to change the status quo. Psalm 126:5-6 says, They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Tears have a way of grabbing God’s attention. When your requests move you to tears, it shows God how serious you are. You are promised by God that He will bring rejoicing when you sow your requests in tears.
Third, make God a promise when you need a prayer answered to change the status quo. Hannah promised God to give her son back to Him if He would answer her prayer. There are times when you need to negotiate with God to get your prayers answered. Ask yourself, what is in it for God? What does God get out of answering my prayers? Making a vow to God that you will do something for Him if He will answer a prayer is a win-win proposition for both sides.
Fourth, continue praying when you need a prayer answered to change the status quo. After Hannah prayed, wept, and made her vow, she continued to pray. There are times when you need to continue praying even though you feel like you are done praying. When you feel you have no more to give, continue praying. It is the continued prayer that shows God how serious you are about getting your request answered.
Fifth, pray and fast when you need a prayer answered to change the status quo. Jesus said in Mark 9:29, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. The status quo often never changes in one’s life until they fast and pray. “This kind” to change the status quo in your life can only happen when you pray and fast.
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