Spiritual Muscle

Spiritual Muscle

Yesterday we reflected on Hannah’s prayer in the book of 1 Samuel chapter one. It was a beautiful prayer born out of a moment of desperation.

Over the last year, one of our daughters has been struggling with some pretty serious mental health concerns. And it’s been a struggle… It is a struggle. And you can imagine as a parent, the stress of that, the worry. And sometimes people will say, “Well Joe, you just have to hand it over to the Lord.”

Of course. But that is easier said than done. And what I have found is: that I have to do it again and again and again and again. Sometimes maybe I’m taking it back. Okay God, I trust you with this… But then I don’t. And have to do it again. Or, sometimes new things just happen.

In the story about Hannah, in her distress, she pours her heart out to God in prayer. And then, following her conversation with Eli, the priest, she got up and went out. And the scripture tells us, “…her countenance was sad no longer.”

What is amazing is that at that moment, Hannah didn’t know if she would get an answer to her prayer. She didn’t know she would have a son named Samuel who would go on to be one of the greatest prophets in Israel. She did not know the outcome.

Sometimes it is not necessarily the answer to prayer – but simply the offering of prayer that helps. It is getting to that point where we say, “Okay God – I have to trust you. I have to trust that you can and will bring something good out of all this. I have to trust that as this story – which is my life – unfolds – it will not unfold without your presence and your grace…

I think about that in my own life, and all the prayers. Are these prayers magic? No. But does it get me through the night into the next day? Yes. Do I feel a sense of God’s presence in the midst of it? Yes. Do I always have a sense of peace? Not always. But do I experience an inner strength that comes from somewhere else? Yes! And, do I have hope? You bet!

The one thing I know about prayer is that it is a spiritual muscle. And the more we use it, the more we develop it, the more we draw on it, the greater the resource becomes.

As I mentioned yesterday, this story reminds me that we stand within a faith community that for thousands of years has relied on a power beyond us. Like Hannah, our lives are layered with grace and pain, and miracles and hope. And it reminds me that we worship a God who makes a way where there is no way.

Let us pray: Holy God, we ask you to meet us today at the deepest point of our need. We ask for healing, for guidance, for wisdom, and for grace upon grace. In all things, help us to trust you. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Message Author: Joe Albright

Joe began his ministry in Sarasota, Florida as an associate pastor, and it was in this capacity that he worked alongside the Reverend Dr. Roger Kunkel. Roger was a colleague who became a mentor and treasured friend. From Sarasota, Joe was called to Jacksonville, Florida where he served as the Head of Staff at Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Currently, Joe and his family worship and serve at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Switzerland, Florida. Full Bio

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