Topical Bible: Prayer: Answered: Hagar, for Deliverance

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Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant to Sarai, the wife of Abram, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of answered prayer and divine deliverance. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where she experiences God's intervention in her life during times of distress.

Hagar's initial encounter with divine deliverance occurs after she conceives Abram's child, Ishmael. Sarai, feeling despised, treats Hagar harshly, prompting her to flee into the wilderness. It is here that the Angel of the LORD finds her by a spring of water in the desert. The Angel addresses her plight and instructs her to return to Sarai, promising that her descendants will be too numerous to count. This encounter is a profound moment of answered prayer, as God hears Hagar's affliction and provides her with guidance and hope for the future. Genesis 16:11 records the Angel's words: "You have conceived and will bear a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your affliction."

Years later, Hagar faces another crisis when she and her son Ishmael are sent away by Abraham at Sarah's insistence. Wandering in the wilderness of Beersheba, they soon run out of water, and Hagar, in despair, places Ishmael under a shrub and distances herself, unwilling to witness his death. In her moment of desperation, God hears the boy's cries, and the Angel of God calls to Hagar from heaven, reassuring her of God's promise to make Ishmael a great nation. Genesis 21:17-19 recounts this divine intervention: "God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies. Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.' Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink."

Hagar's experiences highlight the theme of God's attentiveness to the cries of the afflicted and His willingness to provide deliverance and hope. Her account serves as a testament to the power of prayer and God's faithfulness in responding to the needs of those who call upon Him in times of distress. Through Hagar's narrative, the Bible illustrates that God's compassion and provision extend beyond the chosen lineage of Israel, reaching out to all who seek His help.

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Genesis 16:7-13
And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
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Library

Young Man! a Prayer for You
... for we trust that, if our prayer is answered, the person ... Let us breathe such a prayer
as that of Elisha for ... by error, may be made to cry with Hagar, "Thou God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/young man a prayer for.htm

Israel's Hope; Or, the Centre of the Target
... and this is the most of their prayer: but suppose ... The bottle of water which Hagar
carried for Ishmael is ... her companion upbraided her; but she answered, "I have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/israels hope or the centre.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... 487]298; when he distracts not in prayer, and why ... against it on the part of Christians,
answered, [650]9 ... Hagar, why taken by Abraham, [804]155; her insulting ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

City of God
... How These Persons are to Be Answered, Who Find ... Chapter 25.--Of Sarah's Handmaid,
Hagar, Whom She Herself ... Chapter 30.--Of Lot's Deliverance from Sodom, and Its ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... Nathaniel poured out his heart in prayer, when our ... them who had trials, 'not accepting
deliverance, that they ... still, as Abraham interceded, God answered, 'If I ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
... field; to this end he invites to prayer and conference. ... Augustin answered them briefly
in a tractate, which he ... Sarah and Hagar are types; so the mother Church ...
/.../chapter ii name analysis of.htm

The Doctrine
... O, therefore, be much in prayer for me, thy ... Objections answered for their comfort
who would have their ... the two covenants; the one named Hagar signifies Mount ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm