Read 1 Samuel 1:1-20. In the first chapter of 1 Samuel, we come to a prayer of brokenness from a woman named Hannah. Out of her prayer will come a man who will influence the course of history in a mighty way—a man who will anoint the king from whose lineage the Savior of the world will be born. The name Hannah means “favored,” but Hannah didn’t feel favored at all. She felt broken due to her inability to conceive a child. We read in 1 Samuel 1:10, “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.” We should pay close attention to several aspects of Hannah’s prayer. First, we should note that this is the first prayer of a woman ever recorded in the Bible. I’m sure that there were many faithful women who prayed before Hannah, women whose prayers are not recorded in Scripture. And I’m sure we would be astonished at the incredible works God has done in answer to their prayers. In fact, I can tell you that I am a follower of Christ and a servant of Christ because God answered the prayers of my mother. And I can tell you that her prayers were anguished prayers, prayers of brokenness, because I, as a young man, was far from God and was breaking her heart. A second aspect of Hannah’s prayer to note is that it was silent. Her lips moved, but she made no sound. She wasn’t praying to be eloquent. She was praying out of her deep anguish and brokenness. Third, as Hannah prays, she makes no attempt to draw attention to herself. Hannah was not trying to impress anyone or manipulate emotions or gain sympathy. She knew there was only one who could meet her desperate need. There was only one who could do the impossible. And He is the one who hears all prayers—even prayers prayed in silence. God hears our prayers, expressed in groaning too deep for words. These are the prayers of brokenness, and He delights in answering these prayers. God is going to use Hannah’s brokenness to bless her—and to bless the entire world in all generations. Prayer: Thank You that You are close to the brokenhearted. I bring my brokenness to You today, knowing that in You alone am I made whole. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. *This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Over the years, I have prayed with countless people a simple prayer for decision-making wisdom: “Lord, which way should Your servant take?” That prayer is based on a prayer found in Genesis 24, the first prayer ever recorded in the Bible. (There are earlier conversations recorded between Adam and God and Abraham and God, but this is the first instance of an individual praying to God in the same way you and I pray to Him.) It was offered by Eliezer of Damascus, the senior servant in Abraham’s household (see Genesis 15:2). When Abraham is very old, he commissions Eliezer to go to the city of Nahor in Mesopotamia where Abraham’s relatives live. There Eliezer is to find a bride for Abraham’s son Isaac. In Genesis 24:12-14, we read that this servant stops on his travels to pray for God to guide him. The fact that Eliezer is not named in this passage suggests that he is a genuinely humble servant who does not seek to glorify himself. And God answers his prayer even “[b]efore he had finished praying” (v. 15). Some people say you should never pray specifically because you may be praying outside of the will of God. But the Bible contains many examples of people praying very specific prayers, like this one, and God honors those prayers. Of course, we need to be flexible when God gives us His answer. He may answer our prayer in a different way than we expect. But we should not fear to be specific when we pray. Eliezer also understood that prayer is no substitute for action. He prayed—but he kept traveling. He prayed—but he kept his eye on the destination. He prayed—but he kept following the map. The prayer of Abraham’s faithful servant Eliezer was a prayer for guidance in a decision that would impact the lineage of Jesus the Messiah. The example of Eliezer teaches us this all-important principle: faithful prayer + unconditional obedience = answered prayer. When you need God’s guidance, when you need answered prayer, pray with a heart of unconditional obedience. Then watch faithfully to see His answer. Prayer: Lord, thank You that I can bring my specific requests to You and trust that You hear and answer them in Your perfect wisdom and timing. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. *This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

There is no power over temptation nor victory over sin without spending time with God in prayer. James Montgomery, who was a great man of prayer, wrote these lyrics in his hymn “Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire”: Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath. The Christian’s native air; His watchword at the gates of death; He enters Heav’n with prayer. Prayer should be our first option rather than the final effort. When trouble approaches, we need to run to God in prayer. If you are weary and feel heavy-laden, take time to pray. When life is joyful, take time to praise God for His goodness through prayer. Moses prayed, and water flowed from a rock. Joshua prayed, and the sun stood still. Hannah prayed, and God gave her a son. David prayed, and Goliath fell. Elijah prayed, and fire rained down from heaven. Daniel prayed, and God closed the lions’ mouths. Jesus prayed, and 5,000 people were fed and satisfied with a little boy’s lunch. When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, the demons shook with terror. Heaven’s boundless power and strength are ours when we pray and align our will with God’s perfect plan. Are you discouraged and despondent? Pray. Do you feel defeated by sin? Pray. Does it seem as if your life and personal relationships are falling apart? Your greatest needs can be met through prayer. God is not challenged by your sin or difficult circumstances. Prayer is the avenue He uses to restore your soul and to prepare you to live the life He has given you. Therefore, pray, knowing that when you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. Prayer: Lord, in Your mercy, restore my soul and prepare me for the life You have planned for me. I want to live for You and trust You to finish Your work in me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

In Jeremiah, the Lord promises Israel restoration of relationship with Him, saying, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13). Through Christ we have this promise—a special relationship with God—if only we will seek Him and meet with Him in prayer. For, if we fail to pray, we will never fully experience the power of God in our lives. We have the awesome privilege of entering God’s presence through prayer. Prayer is our declaration of faith in a mighty God. When we pray, we acknowledge our need of Him and our dependence on Him alone. Calling out to God also declares our desire for His wisdom, guidance, and protection. We have the awesome privilege of entering God’s presence through prayer. It is here that we discover the will of God for our lives and receive His power so we can victoriously face the enemy of our souls. In this life, there will be times when we struggle with feelings of disappointment. In those times, we may be tempted to give up and forget the goodness and love of God. If we are not careful, our spiritual focus will shift, and we will wonder, “Why pray?” Never allow this attitude to rest within your heart. Prayer is our mighty weapon of victory. It is a matter of the will rather than emotion or intellect. When the bottom drops out of life, we must become more determined than ever to pray. In Scripture, Paul reminds us that a spiritual battle rages around us (see Ephesians 6:12). However, we are not defenseless. Prayer is a powerful and sure weapon (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-4). Therefore, we can pray and, by faith, know that God hears us when we call to Him. Prayer: Father, You are Almighty God, and I acknowledge my utter dependence on You. I pray for Your will for my life. May I receive it with joy and thanksgiving knowing You love me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Read John 20:15-18. Though Mary had likely heard Jesus Himself say that He would die and then rise again on the third day, she couldn’t bring herself to believe it had actually happened. But then Jesus said her name: “Mary” (John 20:16)—and instantly, she recognized her Lord and Savior. When Mary heard Jesus calling her by name, her depression transformed into delight, her sorrow turned into joy, and her tears of sadness became tears of gladness. She cried out, “Rabboni! My teacher!” and then, out of unspeakable joy, she ran to embrace Him. Then, Jesus said something that may sound strange to us: “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father” (v. 17). Jesus wasn’t being rude. He wasn’t pushing Mary away. He was telling her that things were now different. He would soon return to the glory He had laid aside when He came to earth. Only then would He send the Holy Spirit to be with Mary, His disciples, and everyone else who would trust in Him. Through the Spirit, we can enjoy a deep, intimate, ever-growing relationship with Jesus. That is why Jesus had said, “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7, emphasis added). Because of the Holy Spirit, we don’t have to spend a minute apart from Jesus. He is with us always (see Matthew 28:20). Mary’s outlook was transformed when she knew that Jesus was alive, and yet there are many Christians who live as though they don’t believe it. If you live your life as though Jesus died on the cross but never rose on the third day, you will regularly experience grief, depression, discouragement, and hopelessness. But there is good news: You can come back to the empty tomb and hear Jesus call you by name. You can recommit your life to Jesus as Lord and Savior, and you can exchange your depression for delight. You will be able to persevere in hope and even joy because you will know that Jesus is with you and will never let you go. Prayer: Father, You have called me by name, and I belong to You. Therefore, may I live with joy and confidence. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Read John 20:11-15. Jesus had delivered Mary Magdalene from seven demons that had tormented her (see Luke 8:2). He rescued her from the crushing weight of shame that sin had piled upon her. So, she followed Him. Mary was devoted to Jesus, staying by His side even while He was tortured, beaten, and nailed to a Roman cross. Though most of the disciples fled in fear, Mary stood by her Lord in His darkest hour—faithful, steadfast, and unashamed. It’s likely she was there when Jesus’ body was taken down. She may also have been there when Joseph and Nicodemus prepared the body for burial and placed it in the garden tomb (see John 19:38-39). Mary had no doubt that Jesus had died. So, when she saw that the body was missing, she could only conclude that it had been stolen. Standing there, Mary wept, probably for quite some time, because she was asked twice why she was crying—once by the angels who met her in the tomb and once by Jesus Himself, who asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” (John 20:15). It wasn’t that Jesus couldn’t understand why she would be crying. Jesus was never one to hide His own emotions (see Luke 19:41; John 11:35), and He never told others to suppress theirs (see Luke 23:28). Rather, with His question, Jesus was saying to Mary, “Your tears are unnecessary.” How many times do we grieve and fret over our circumstances, whether it’s the loss of a job, a scary diagnosis, or some other earthly and therefore temporary trouble? We weep and worry because we fail to see the resurrected Jesus in the midst of our troubles. But He is alive and with us. So He asks us in our difficult circumstances, “Why are you crying?” He wants to clarify our thinking, like He did for Mary. Jesus pressed Mary: “Who is it you are looking for?” (John 20:15). Well, she was looking for a dead body. But God had given her a resurrected, powerful, living Savior. She was looking for lifeless remains, but God had given her the assurance of her own resurrection. She was looking for a life of sorrow, but God had given her eternal hope. Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that my tears are unnecessary. Though this life will have sorrow, all my trials pale in comparison to the glory that awaits me in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.