Skip to main content

Pouring out Pain in Prayer

1 Samuel 1:12-13

While she was praying in the LORD’s presence, Eli watched her lips, and although her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk and scolded her. “How long are you going to be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”

Hannah was weeping and wailing so hard that she appeared drunk. The pain inside her gave her the appearance of being drunk when she poured it out to God. I can easily understand why such pain can be debilitating and needs to come out. Holding this kind of hurt inside can drive someone into depression an even suicide. Hannah could hold it inside no longer and decided to do all she knew to do in giving it to God. He was the only one who could do anything about it, anyway.

Eli did not understand this kind of pain, so it appeared strange to him. All he saw was a woman in prayer with her lips moving, but he could not understand or even hear what she was saying. Through her tears and her unstable demeanor, she looked drunk, so he scolded her. He sought to correct what he could not comprehend.

When we pour out our pain to God, others may not understand. Don’t let it stop you. God hears your prayers, and He wants you to give Him the hurt deep inside you so it does not consume you and He can heal you. Your grief may be too much for others to bear, and they may be uncomfortable in your presence. You cannot control the hurt inside; you can only give it to God and trust Him to heal you and restore you. People who have not experienced loss often expect those who do to just suck it up and get over it after a while, but that is not always possible. Hannah felt a deep void, and those who have lost someone feel a deep void, as well. Give your pain completely to God, and expect Him to fill your emptiness. He has brought you to this place for a reason, and only He can reveal that purpose to you.

Have a blessed day!

PHOEBE Connections, Inc. is a 501(c)3 dedicated to enhancing the lives of widows by building relationships and helping them find new identity in Jesus Christ through serving others. We promote an atmosphere of fellowship, where the widow can connect with other widows to develop friendships and supportive relationships.