Hannah's Silent Prayer Teaches the Laws of How to Pray

"Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart" (1 Samuel 1:13). It is written, "to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart" (Deuteronomy 11:13). But is there a service that is in the heart? And which is this? This is prayer. And likewise, "your God whom you serve continually" (Daniel 6:17) — but is there worship in Babylon? And which is this? This is prayer. One might think that a person may pray toward any direction he wishes; therefore it is made explicit regarding Daniel, "and his windows were open in his upper chamber toward Jerusalem" (Daniel 6:11). One might think that a person may pray those three [prayers] at any hour he wishes; therefore it is made explicit regarding Daniel, "and three times a day he knelt upon his knees" (Daniel 6:11). One might think that [only] from the time he came to Babylon [did he do so]; the verse teaches, "as he did aforetime" (Daniel 6:11). One might think that a person may pray the three of them as one; therefore it is made explicit regarding David, "evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and moan" etc. (Psalms 55:18). One might think that a person may raise his voice in his prayer; therefore it is made explicit regarding Hannah, "Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart." One might think that he should meditate in the heart [silently]; the verse teaches, "only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought her to be drunk" — from here that a drunkard is forbidden to pray. And what is its reason? As it is said, "Therefore hear now this, you afflicted, and drunk, but not with wine" (Isaiah 51:21). Rabbi Zerika and Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Eliezer the son of Rabbi Yose the Galilean, they say: one in distress is forbidden to render a [legal] ruling. And it is reasoned only from this verse, "Therefore hear now this" etc. Abba bar Rav Huna said: one who has imbibed should not pray, and if he prayed, his prayer is [accepted as] supplications; a drunkard should not pray, and if he prayed, his prayer is blasphemies. Which is one who has imbibed and which is a drunkard? One who has imbibed — less than a quarter [-log]; a drunkard — a quarter [-log]. There they say: anyone who is unable to speak with the king.