A study on theology had kept me occupied these last two months (which explains the reason behind the vacuum of posts in this blog). A long and laborious effort on translation indeed, but I have always loved the way translation projects broaden my insight on life -- and everything it has to offer.
Shall we continue with the story I have to offer, then?
Once upon a time, there lived a woman in the East, who was beautiful and much loved by her husband. Her name was Rachel.
Despite her beauty and graceful appearance, Rachel was barren. Even after years of marriage, she bore her husband, Jacob, no children. On the other hand, her unloved sister, Leah, had given birth to six sons!
In their community, children were considered as valuable heritage, and sons were greatly prized. There was nothing a woman could desire more than giving birth to many sons, to build the family's name.
Grieved by her unfortunate condition, Rachel prayed and prayed and prayed to God for a son, out of jealousy toward her elder sister.
Many centuries afterward, a woman from among her descendants suffered the same fate. Hannah was deeply troubled, for she could not bear children.
One day, she prayed to God, that if He granted her a son, she would dedicate her baby to the Lord's service for the rest of his life.
The Lord listened to Hannah's plea, and opened her womb.
Hannah gave birth to a son, and -- in great joy -- named him Samuel, "God grants."
Rachel, after struggling with her sterility for many years, was finally granted her wish. God remembered her, and in His time, gave her the son she asked for.
Rachel was overjoyed, and called her baby: Joseph, "may He add."
God gave her a son, and she asked for more sons, to rival her sister, Leah.
Well, she did give birth to another son -- Benjamin -- several years later.
But it cost her life, for she died in childbirth.
And Hannah?
After she weaned Samuel, she took him to the house of God and left him there under the high priest's care, to be trained in the way of the Lord -- never did it cross her mind that Samuel would grow up to become one of the greatest prophets Israel ever saw.
Hannah came home to the mountains of Ephraim, feeling content and at peace. She glorified the Lord for His goodness in granting her a son, and He was pleased with her thanksgiving. So, the Lord gave Hannah three more sons and two daughters!
Can we discern the difference between these two women?
Even though they faced the same problem, felt the same anguish, and fought the same struggle, but the outcome for each was not similar.
How come?
Here, we see the contrast between a demanding prayer and a trusting prayer.
A demanding prayer is the kind that forces God to bend to our will, our motives, our methods. Most of the time (if not always), this sort of prayer is founded on self-interest.
Rachel didn't submit her will to the will of God. She chose her own path and forced God to follow her down a steep road which she didn't know where it led. Eventually, she had to pay for it dearly.
Hannah, on the other hand, linked her plea with God's will.
She didn't ask for a son to fulfill her self-interest. By asking for a son, she was plainly asking God to take away her disgrace, and in return, she would return the boy to Him.
She believed that the blessing of children was God's to give, and understood completely that the son He would give her actually belonged to Him. As a parent, she was nothing more than a caretaker of God's blessing.
By trusting that everything came from God and should only be used for His glory, she conceived, gave birth, and dedicated her son for a lifetime of service. God was pleased with her humility, and granted her five more children she had never asked for!
Perhaps, it would be prudent if we reflect on the Lord's words: "If you remain in Me, and My Word remains in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" (John 15:7).
Many people simply quote the last half of this verse: "Ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."
They neglect the first half of it -- the requirement any prayer needs! Without it, there's no way our prayer will be heard: "If you remain in Me, and My Word remains in you."
Meaning: our will and prayer should be in harmony and concurrence with God's Word. If we are one with God, we shall understand His thoughts, and anything we ask from Him will not stray from His good and perfect will. Only then, will our prayer be heard and granted.
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