As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
(1 Samuel 1:12-18 ESV)
Hannah had been fasting and praying before coming to the Tabernacle. She continued to do so there with the same intensity she had been. She was so involved with God, it was like no one else was there. Eli thought the worse at first, but had the wisdom and experience to quickly backtrack and instead approve of her actions. She was wrestling with God in prayer. She came away with her immediate condition unchanged - she still had no child; she still had "the other woman"; but she now had hope for what God was able and going to do. That's what passionate praying can do.
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