Praying Against Barrenness – The Story of Hannah
Praying Against Barrenness
Today, we will be praying against barrenness. Fruitfulness is God’s desire for His children. In every area of life—whether spiritually, physically, or materially—God wants His people to be productive and abundant. However, there are seasons when barrenness, stagnation, and delay seem to prevail. During such times, it takes persistent faith and unyielding prayers to break through, just as we see in the story of Hannah.
Hannah: A Model of Relentless Prayer
Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1:1-20 is one of unwavering faith and perseverance. She was married to Elkanah, but for years, she remained childless while her rival, Peninnah, had multiple children. In biblical times, barrenness was considered a great shame and disgrace. Despite the pain, Hannah did not give up or resign herself to fate. She refused to take “No” for an answer.
Instead of drowning in sorrow, she turned to God in fervent prayer. At the temple in Shiloh, Hannah poured out her soul before the Lord, vowing that if He granted her a son, she would dedicate him back to God. Her passionate intercession was so intense that Eli, the priest, mistook her for a drunk woman. But Hannah was not drunk—she was a woman desperate for a divine turnaround.
Refusing to Take ‘No’ for an Answer
Hannah’s persistence aligns with the theme of “Don’t take ‘No’ for an answer.” Many would have given up after years of disappointment, but she held on. She understood that with God, delay is not denial. Her perseverance paid off—God remembered her, and she conceived and gave birth to Samuel, one of Israel’s greatest prophets (1 Samuel 1:19-20).
This principle of persistence in prayer is echoed throughout Scripture:
- Luke 18:1-8 – The parable of the persistent widow teaches us that continuous prayer moves the hand of God.
- Matthew 7:7-8 – Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock, assuring us that those who persist will receive.
- James 5:16 – “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (KJV)
Lessons from Hannah’s Prayer for Fruitfulness
1. Fruitfulness Begins with Seeking God
Hannah did not turn to human solutions or lose herself in bitterness. She went directly to God. This teaches us that true fruitfulness—whether in the womb, career, ministry, or personal endeavors—comes from God alone.
- John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” (NIV)
2. The Power of Vows and Covenant Prayers
Hannah made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life.” (1 Samuel 1:11, NIV). This reveals that covenant prayers can be powerful in unlocking divine fruitfulness.
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 – God takes vows seriously and expects us to honor them.
3. Weeping Before God is Not in Vain
Hannah wept before the Lord, and He heard her. Tears in the place of prayer, when offered in faith, are never wasted.
- Psalm 126:5-6 – “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (NIV)
4. Thanksgiving Precedes Manifestation
After praying, Hannah left the temple no longer sad (1 Samuel 1:18). She trusted that God had heard her. Similarly, we must learn to thank God in advance for answered prayers.
- Philippians 4:6-7 – We are instructed to present our requests with thanksgiving, trusting God’s timing.
Applying Hannah’s Example in Our Lives By Praying Against Barrenness
If you are believing God for fruitfulness—whether in childbirth, career, ministry, or business—apply these lessons:
- Refuse to Accept Barrenness – Just as Hannah refused to accept her situation as final, so must we.
- Pray with Passion and Persistence – Pray fervently, consistently, and expectantly.
- Make a Covenant with God – Offer yourself, your work, or your blessings back to Him.
- Trust in God’s Perfect Timing – Even when the answer tarries, remain faithful.
- Give Thanks in Advance – Thank God as though your breakthrough has already happened.
Conclusion
Hannah’s story is a testimony that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. He is the giver of all fruitfulness, and no situation is too hopeless for Him to turn around. Just as Hannah refused to take “No” for an answer, we too must press on in faith, believing that God will make us fruitful in every area of our lives.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, just as You remembered Hannah, remember me today. I reject every form of barrenness in my life and declare fruitfulness in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Praying Against Barrenness
Prayers for Personal Fruitfulness
- Father, I thank You because Your plan for my life is to be fruitful and not barren
Genesis 1:28
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
2. O Lord, every form of barrenness in my life—whether spiritual, financial, or marital—let it be broken in Jesus’ name
Deuteronomy 7:14
You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor will any of your livestock be without young
3. Father, just as You remembered Hannah, remember me today and grant me fruitfulness in every area of my life
1 Samuel 1:19
Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her
4. O Lord, visit me with Your divine touch and open every closed door of fruitfulness in my life
Genesis 30:22
Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive.
5. By the power in the name of Jesus, I reject delay and prolonged waiting in my life
Isaiah 54:1
“Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord.
Prayers for Marital and Family Fruitfulness
6. Lord, just as You gave Sarah strength to conceive, let Your power rest upon me and my household
Genesis 21:1-2
Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.
7. Father, let the cry of joy be heard in my home; remove every delay in childbearing
Psalm 113:9
He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children.Praise the Lord.
8. Every power fighting against my marital fruitfulness, be destroyed in Jesus’ name
Exodus 23:26
And none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.
9. Father, bless my marriage with the fruit of the womb and godly children
Psalm 127:3
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
10. O Lord, let my children and family be a testimony of Your faithfulness
Isaiah 8:18
Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.
Prayers for Career, Ministry, and Financial Fruitfulness
11. Lord, let my hands be blessed; whatever I lay my hands on shall prosper
Deuteronomy 28:12
The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
12. Every form of financial barrenness in my life, be broken in the name of Jesus
Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.
13. Father, make me fruitful in my ministry and calling; let me impact lives for Your glory
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
14. O Lord, bless my business, let it flourish and bring increase beyond measure
Genesis 26:12-13
Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him. 13 The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.
15. Father, remove every obstacle hindering my breakthrough; let my season of fruitfulness begin
Psalm 92:12-14
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;13 planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green
Closing Remarks:
Hannah’s story teaches us that prayer is the key to unlocking fruitfulness. She was ridiculed, rejected, and barren, but she refused to take “No” for an answer. She pressed into God with unwavering faith, and in due time, her mourning turned into joy.
As you pray for fruitfulness today, do not give up. Keep pressing in faith, trusting God, and declaring His promises over your life. Your Samuel is coming!
Be a Part of the Night of Divine Encounter
Join us for a transformative time of prayer and worship during our corporate prayer sessions:
- Early Morning Cry: Stream live on our website daily from March 29 to April 4, 2025, between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM MST.
- Night of Divine Encounter: Participate online or in person on Friday, April 4, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM MST. Our physical meeting will be held at:
Winston Heights Mountview Community Association (Main Hall), 520 27 Avenue, NE, Calgary.
You can also stream live via our Church’s website, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube channels.
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We look forward to connecting with you as we experience God’s divine presence together!
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