HEAVEN SHALL HEAR THIS

Title: HEAVEN SHALL HEAR THIS

Main Text: 1 Samuel 1:10-11 - “In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she 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, and no razor will ever be used on his head.’”

By Rev Samuel Arimoro

INTRODUCTION

Life is filled with moments of deep longing, desperation, and desire for divine intervention. At times, we reach a point where we cannot be silent any longer; our voices must rise to heaven to demand a change. "Heaven Shall Hear This" is not just a statement but a declaration of faith and persistence in prayer. When you decide that your situation must change, and you make up your mind to cry out to God, heaven will surely respond. This sermon draws from the story of Hannah, a woman who turned her pain into a prayer that moved heaven, and explores how we, too, can pray in a way that captures heaven’s attention.

1. THE POWER OF DESPERATION IN PRAYER

a) The Cry of a Troubled Heart (1 Samuel 1:10)
   Hannah’s deep anguish and misery drove her to the place of prayer. She was in a state where she could no longer tolerate her situation. Desperation has a way of pushing us beyond the norm and bringing us to the throne of grace in fervent prayer. True, heartfelt prayer is often birthed from a place of desperation.

b) Desperation Breaks Silence
   For years, Hannah had been silent, enduring the mockery of Peninnah and the sorrow of barrenness. But when her desperation reached a peak, she decided that heaven had to hear her. Desperation removes the fear of men, the fear of judgment, and the fear of being misunderstood.

c) Desperation as a Catalyst for Divine Intervention
   Many biblical figures saw divine intervention when they prayed desperately. Examples include blind Bartimaeus, who cried out to Jesus, refusing to be silenced (Mark 10:46-52), and the woman with the issue of blood who pressed through the crowd to touch Jesus' garment (Mark 5:25-34). When desperation aligns with faith, miracles happen.

2. PRAYING UNTIL HEAVEN RESPONDS

a) Persistent Prayer Like Hannah's (1 Samuel 1:12-13) 
   Hannah prayed persistently and passionately. She was not concerned about who saw her or what they thought. She was determined that her voice would reach heaven. Persistence in prayer means not giving up until you see a breakthrough.

b) Prayer That Comes with a Vow (1 Samuel 1:11)
   Hannah’s prayer was not only persistent; it was also sacrificial. She made a vow to God, promising that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him back to the Lord. Sometimes, our prayers need to be coupled with a commitment to God—a vow that shows our seriousness and dedication.

c)  Pouring Out the Heart (1 Samuel 1:15)
   When Eli the priest mistook her for a drunkard, Hannah explained that she was pouring out her soul to the Lord. True prayer involves pouring out your heart to God, holding nothing back. It is an intimate, sincere, and unfiltered conversation with God.

3. THE REWARD OF HEAVEN'S ATTENTION

a)  God’s Immediate Response (1 Samuel 1:17-18) 
   After hearing Hannah’s prayer, Eli pronounced a blessing over her, saying, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him.” When heaven hears, there is an immediate assurance and peace that comes over you, even before the physical manifestation of the answer.

b) From Barrenness to Fruitfulness (1 Samuel 1:19-20) 
   God answered Hannah’s prayer, and she conceived and bore a son named Samuel, which means “heard by God.” Her barrenness turned to fruitfulness because heaven heard her cry. When heaven hears, your barren places turn fruitful; God brings forth new things out of nothing.

c)   A Testimony for Generations (1 Samuel 2:1-10)
   Hannah’s answered prayer became a testimony for generations. Her song of praise in 1 Samuel 2 is a testament to what God can do when He hears the cry of His people. Your testimony will become a song that glorifies God and encourages others to trust Him.

4. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF HEAVEN HEARING PRAYERS

a)  Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36-39)
   Elijah prayed for fire from heaven to demonstrate God’s power to the people of Israel, and God responded instantly. Heaven heard Elijah’s prayer, and it resulted in a national revival and a return to the worship of the true God.

b)  Hezekiah's Prayer for Healing (Isaiah 38:1-5) 
   When King Hezekiah was sick unto death, he prayed earnestly to God, and heaven heard him, extending his life by fifteen years. This shows that no matter how dire the situation, heaven can hear and change the course of events.

c) The Apostles’ Prayer for Boldness (Acts 4:29-31)
   When the early church faced persecution, they gathered together and prayed for boldness to speak God’s word. Heaven heard their prayer, and the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. When heaven hears, there is an outpouring of God’s Spirit and power.

5. KEYS TO MAKING HEAVEN HEAR YOUR CRY

a)  Pray with Sincerity and Humility (Psalm 51:17)
   God responds to a broken and contrite heart. Come before Him with humility, laying all your burdens at His feet, and He will hear you.

b)  Be Persistent and Relentless in Prayer (Luke 18:1-8)
   Jesus taught the parable of the persistent widow to show that we should always pray and not give up. Keep praying until heaven responds.

c) Combine Your Prayer with Fasting (Isaiah 58:6-9)
   Fasting adds weight to your prayers, breaking every chain and causing heaven to respond speedily. There are certain battles that require prayer and fasting to secure a breakthrough.

d) Align Your Prayers with God’s Will (1 John 5:14-15) 
   Prayers that align with God’s will and His Word are powerful. Pray according to His promises, and you can be confident that heaven will hear.

e) Engage in Praise and Worship (Acts 16:25-26) 
   Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns in prison, and heaven responded by shaking the prison’s foundations and setting them free. When you combine prayer with praise, you create an atmosphere for divine intervention.

CONCLUSION
When you decide that "Heaven Shall Hear This," you are declaring that enough is enough. It means you are ready to cry out to God with all that you have, in sincerity, desperation, and faith. Like Hannah, blind Bartimaeus, and many others, your voice can reach heaven and move God’s hand on your behalf. Don’t be silent about your situation; cry out to God until He responds. And when heaven hears, your life, situation, and story will never remain the same. 

PRAYER POINTS

1. Prayer for Divine Intervention: "O Lord, hear my cry today and intervene in my situation." 

2. Prayer for Persistence:
"Father, grant me the strength to keep praying until my answer comes." 

3. Prayer for a Broken and Contrite Heart: "Lord, help me to approach You in humility and sincerity." 

4. Prayer for Faith: "O God, increase my faith to believe that You will hear and answer me." 

5. Prayer for Aligned Prayers: "Father, help me to pray according to Your will and purpose for my life." 

6. Prayer for Divine Favour: "Lord, let my prayers attract Your divine favour and grace." 

7. Prayer for Boldness in Prayer: "O God, grant me boldness to approach Your throne with confidence." 

8. Prayer for Open Heavens: "Father, let the heavens be open over my life, and let my prayers ascend like incense before You."

9. Prayer for a Heart of Worship: "Lord, help me to combine my prayers with praise and worship that moves Your heart." 

10. Prayer for Testimonies:
"O God, let my answered prayers become a testimony that glorifies Your name."

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. I declare that heaven shall hear my prayers and respond speedily.
 
2. I declare that every situation of barrenness in my life is turning to fruitfulness. 

3. I declare that my prayers are ascending like incense before the throne of God. 

4. I declare that God is giving me divine strategies to unlock my miracles. 

5. I declare that every obstacle is turning into a stepping stone for my testimony. 

6. I declare that my prayers will not be in vain; they shall yield results. 

7. I declare that every delay in my life is turning to divine acceleration. 

8. I declare that God is opening the heavens over my life for divine blessings.