Prayer: The Only Antidote for Tears.


Monday 13th January 2020. Read 1st Samuel 1:1-8, Psalm 115 and Mark 1:14-20)_


_“Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” *(1 Samuel 1:8)*_

The story in today’s first reading is one we can easily relate with as Africans. Elkannah practised polygamy. He had two wives. Hannah was the first wife but she was childless. Elkannah must have bowed to pressure from the family to take another wife to have children. Peninnah had children but was envious of Hannah because Elkannah obviously loved her more. Peninnah provoked Hannah greatly.

Hannah’s response to Peninnah’s provocation was tears. It got so bad that she would not even eat. Elkannah tried all he could to console her but to no avail. Hannah did not know that like Sarah, her barrenness was for a purpose.

Dear friends, sometimes, God allows bad things to happen to us just to draw us closer to Himself. No matter what you may be going through, do not let your response be all about tears alone. Pray. Something good will come out of your pain eventually.

The arrest of John the Baptist was something bad but it became a sign for Jesus to begin his work of evangelization. As painful as John’s arrest was, it was God’s will that this should happen to pave way for Jesus to come into the scene fully. Like Hannah, John had done nothing wrong to deserve such pain but God had great plans.

Jesus went about preaching a message that is still relevant today: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Are you Peninnah? Do you ridicule others just because they are childless? Repent. Are you Herod, do you try to silence people for saying the truth? Repent. As a baptised Christian, are you living in the light? Repent.

Finally, one important lesson we learn from Jesus is that despite being God, from the very beginning of His ministry, He did not try to do it alone. He quickly sought out the assistance of others. Never try to do it alone. Avoid pride by learning to ask for help.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, into your hands, I surrender all my tears, pains and headaches. As you called the apostles to help you, I devote myself freely to your service. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1st Samuel 1:1-8, Psalm 115 and Mark 1:14-20).

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