1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 2:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Matthew 19:27-28 conveys a powerful commitment. This vow originates from Him of whom it is stated, "He that giveth a vow to him that bringeth a vow." Without this divine origin, one would belong to the group whose strength fails them. Only those who have received what they dedicate from Him can rightly offer anything to God. Furthermore, the phrase “And bless the years of the righteous” signifies that they may live eternally with Him of whom it is proclaimed, “Thy years shall not end” (Psalm 101:28). In that place, seasons stand still, while here they fade away and vanish. Before they fade, they do not yet exist; when they vanish, they are gone forever. Thus, to “Give the vow to the vow-bearer, and bless the years of the righteous” reflects our action and our acceptance. However, the latter can only be received when the former is fulfilled with His assistance, for it is not through human strength that one is empowered.

We demonstrate our desire to embrace the blessing of prayer by earnestly taking the time to kneel at the threshold of communication with God. Through perseverance and steadfastness, we are granted the grace of prayer. As Scripture states, “Lord, give graceful prayer to him who prays” patiently with his own efforts.

Offering prayers to the One who hears our petitions can open our hearts, enabling “our prayer” to rise “as a censer” before Him, allowing the incense of our reverent thoughts, ignited by love, to invite and disperse the aroma of divine grace.

There exists a form of prayer that originates from man, and then there is prayer that is granted by God to those who seek Him in prayer. Initially, when an individual approaches the Lord, their first act is to pray. They start attending church and praying at home, employing both prayer books and their own words. Yet, they find their thoughts to be disordered and uncontrollable. Nevertheless, as they engage more deeply in prayer, their thoughts begin to quiet, and their prayers become more sincere. However, the soul's atmosphere remains unrefined until it is ignited by the spiritual fire within. This illumination comes from God’s grace, not as a unique gift, but as a universal grace available to all. It reflects a certain degree of purity in the moral fabric of the seeker.

God is aware of our needs even before we approach Him in prayer. When it is His will to grant our requests, He inspires us with a prayer that aligns with His divine purpose for us, instilling in us such confidence in our supplication that we can sense the Lord's assurance in fulfilling our desires. Psalm 21:2