God grants some of us an easy road to parenthood. You decide it’s time to start a family, everything goes along as expected, and babies are born right on schedule.
It wasn’t that way for us. After two years of trying to have a child, I finally got pregnant, only to have our first daughter journey straight back to heaven on the same day she was born. It was another two years before God blessed us with our now 16-year-old daughter.
So when I read the story of Hannah in I Samuel, I feel like I understand a little bit of Hannah’s heart. Admittedly, I had no Peninah to antagonize me, and the cultural pressure to have a son to carry on the family heritage wasn’t there. But when I read of Hannah in the temple, crying out her soul’s deep longing to have a child, I think I know at least to some degree how she felt.
But as we look at Hannah’s plea, the lessons we learn from her about prayer can apply to any hardship, anxiety, sorrow, or disappointment that has your heart heavy today. Hannah was a woman who had a heartfelt need, took it to God, and saw Him answer her request.
1. Every heartache and raw emotion can be brought to God. There is no trial too difficult, no pain too sharp, no burden too heavy that He can’t help you bear it. I Samuel 1:10 says that Hannah was in bitterness of soul and wept with anguish. In verse 15, we’re told that she poured out her soul before the Lord. Tell Him every hurt you feel, empty your soul at His feet. He is able to empathize with every feeling we’re having.
2. God is the only one who can solve my problem. I Samuel 1:5 reveals that the Lord had shut up Hannah’s womb. There was no special technique, no medicine, no person that could resolve this issue outside of prayer. How often I want to look all around for solutions to my problem or relief from my trial instead of realizing that going to God in prayer should be my first resort.
3. When I’ve left my cares with God, I can move on with my life. When Hannah leaves the temple after praying, I Samuel 1:18 says, “So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.” Once I’ve unburdened my soul to the only one who can solve my problem, I need to leave it with Him. Hannah didn’t continue to mope around; she was trusting God to answer her prayer in His way and in His time.
4. Take time to recognize answered prayer. Twice Hannah acknowledges that God directly answered prayer. It’s recorded in I Samuel 1:20 and in 1:27, where she says, “For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him.” Give God the glory He is due. Celebrate answers to prayer by offering thanks to God and by sharing stories of answered prayer with others. I know my own faith is always encouraged when I hear how God has worked in direct response to prayer in others’ lives.
5. Know that our good God so often gives us even more than we ask for. Here’s what we read in I Samuel 2:21. “And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters.” What did she ask for in chapter 1? A son. Yet God gave her so much more.
Let’s praise God for the privilege we have to bring all our concerns, our worries, and our troubles to Him! He loves us and knows the desires of our heart, and has the power to bring to pass what is best for us.
Related posts:
What Mary Teaches Me About Worship
What Ruth Teaches Me About Trusting God
7 Things a Wise Woman Can Pray For
We can learn a lot from Hannah! I hadn't thought about all of these things, so I appreciate your insights!
So lovely and wise, Tracey. (Of course, I could write that about all your posts.) As an emotional-mess sort of a person, I especially appreciate #1. I remember thinking when my Bible study ladies and I went through the Psalms of the Ascent that over and over in His Word, God gives us “permission” to pour out to Him the full range of our feelings. And my feelings for you are heartbreak and sorrow at your story about your first daughter. I’m so sorry! What an excruciatingly painful long season that must have been. Perhaps your little girl is keeping the baby we lost company in heaven while they wait to greet us someday. And yet, how I know we both rejoice in the wonderful daughters we have here on earth with us now. Can’t imagine life without them! Blessings to you, sweet mama! Pinning and tweeting this right now!
Thanks as always for your kind and thoughtful words!! While losing our daughter was very difficult, God taught us so many sweet lessons during that time, and truly blessed us with His grace and peace. And what a hope we have for seeing her again in heaven – along with your precious little one!!
Yes, I rejoice right alongside you in the daughters I have here in my home! Thanks for sharing the post!!
I love this post so much!!! I try to always tell my kids to pray honestly to God: when they’re mad, pray, “Lord, I am furious!” When they are heartbroken, pray, “Lord, it hurts so much!” I always want them to know that God accepts & indeed values our raw honesty, our truth.
So good, Sues – I need to emphasize this with my kids, too!
Great points that help refocus my need for and the importance of prayer. Thank you so much!
Came across this post on pinterest and it has given me so much encouragement and peace as i pray and wait for Gods answer to my prayer. Thank you
Thankful you found this encouraging and trusting God to answer your prayer in His time and in His way. Blessings to you!
This is an amazing message, we all need a reminder now and then about what a wonderful Mighty God we serve,.thanks for reminding me
Thank you for reading the blog and for taking the to comment!! Have a great day!
Wonderful thanks a lot
I never saw this option you write it is the reason Nevers cédasses to learnt
Thank you for reading the blog and taking the time to comment!
I happen to scroll through my Pinterest and this caught my “ATTENTION” as it pertains to my Only Daughter Who’s Incarcerated. She has been through so much heartache & devastating circumstances but She Continues To Preserve Through it all. She was so Determined To Go Back To School and work on getting her Masters Degree In Criminal Justice Just To have it Possibly taken from her. As a Praying Mother Who’s Constantly on her knees seeking The Lord’s Face To help me with my 2 Children who Are Both Incarcerated at this time. It is just Overwhelming.
Your children are blessed to have a mother who prays for them!! I can’t imagine how overwhelmed you’re feeling. I will join you in praying for your children’s future and will ask God to give you the strength and the faith to continue seeking His face on their behalf.