30th.: Hannah’s Response to the Priest
Hannah prayed fervently, pouring out her anguish to the Lord.
The high priest, Eli, saw her lips move.
He thought that she was drunk, and said something.
Hannah responded,
“No, my lord. I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine, nor strong drink,
but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Count not thy handmaid for a daughter of Belial,
for out of the abundance of my complaint, and grief, have I spoken hitherto.” (1st Sam. 1:15-16).
Notice that Hannah explained that she was praying fervently.
Nevertheless, she did not tell Eli the content of her prayers. Her prayers were between herself and God.
Even though Eli was the representative of God, as the high priest doing the sacrifices,
he did not need to know the subject matter of her prayers.
Likewise, we don’t need to divulge the object of our prayers to everyone,
even if they happen to be people of some importance.
“A fool utters all his mind. But a wise man [woman] keeps it in till afterward.” (Pr. 29:11)