As Hannah prayed asking for the Lord to bless her with her son, she prayed silently, her lips moving but with no audible voice. “Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.” (1 Sam 1:13). Even though Eli was witness to the event, he was unaware that she is even praying. And yet, verse 11 records exactly what Hannah prayed. “And she vowed a vow … if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me … but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life…” (1 Sam 1:11). The explanation is that although no man heard what she prayed, the Lord heard the prayer, and revealed the request through the biblical writer.
Understanding this event can help us in our pursuit of revival. God does not answer prayers because other men hear them, nor does He pour out His Spirit because of works observed by men. God will send revival when we seek it with all our heart. “…Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature… for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7). Men heard the prayer of the Pharisee, but the Lord heard the prayer of the publican. (Luke 18:9-14).
It is not our labor that offends God, but labor from habit and not the heart does not gain His favor nor move Him to pour out His Spirit. “…Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me…” (Isa 29:13). It is not our labor that will bring revival, but our sincere desire for God’s presence. The church of Ephesus was a busy church, but they had left their first love.” (Rev 2:1-4). The church of Corinth was a gifted church, but they were not using their spiritual gifts and were worldly. (1 Cor 1:7). “We could well manage to be half as intellectual if we were twice as spiritual”. (Leonard Ravenhill) (By Pastor Wagenschutz)
