Hannah’s prayer was sent to me one day in an email from my dear friend Pam Watson, to lift me up and encourage me. Pam is always a source of light for me - Christ’s light, and I am so grateful and honored to pass this along to encourage and lift you up!
Hannah, the great prophet Samuel’s mother, praised God in the midst of trial; she had a strong, intimate relationship with God and as the Holy Spirit led her, she acknowledged the mighty God who answered her prayers.
To give you a brief glimpse into the life of Hannah, Hannah was one of two wives of a man named Elkanah. His other wife had children but Hannah could not conceive. Her heart longed for a child. To make matters worse, Peninnah, the other wife, was cruel and continually taunted Hannah. Hannah cried out to God. She made a vow that if He would give her a son, she would give her son to God to serve Him all the days of his life. God answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son she named Samuel. She kept her promise to the Lord. When Samuel was old enough, Hannah took him to Eli the priest, to serve in the tabernacle. Eli worshipped God with Hannah and Hannah spoke her beautiful prayer.
Pam’s words of encouragement are italicized and in parenthesis. Be blessed!
Hannah’s Prayer
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; (Praise!)
in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies, (Speak it into being!)
for I delight in your deliverance.
“There is no one holy like the Lord; (Praise!)
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
“Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance, (Be humble – surrender!)
for the Lord is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed. (God knows our deeds)
“The bows of the warriors are broken,
but those who stumbled are armed with strength. (Speak as a warrior of God who defeats strongholds)
Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
but those who were hungry are hungry no more. (God provides)
She who was barren has borne seven children,
but she who has had many sons pines away.
“The Lord brings death and makes alive; (Die to self – rise in Christ’s resurrection power)
he brings down to the grave and raises up.
The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts. (God raises up those who are humble in heart)
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap; (God raises up those who cry out and are needy to His abundant provision)
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor. (Those who accept Jesus will sit at the right hand of God)
“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
on them he has set the world. (The Lord created all, knows all, owns all – so give all of what you have back to Him)
He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. (God will protect the faithful)
“It is not by strength that one prevails;
those who oppose the Lord will be broken.The Most High will thunder from heaven;
the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. (The Lord is the ultimate judge, NOT us!)
“He will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.” (God strengthens and creates an atmosphere to rise up from circumstances and move forward for Christ)
Samuel grew up to be a great prophet, he anointed the first two kings of Israel but the beautiful thing I love about Samuel is that he lived a life emphasizing that God alone should receive glory and honor and that obedience to God should be our top priority. Praise God for Hannah praying earnestly for what God had already planted in her heart, a son, so ultimately God could use him to change the course of history and bring glory to His name.
Is there a burden on your heart? An illness, job loss, divorce, unsaved children? Or maybe a loved one is in trouble and in need of prayer. Hannah’s God is our God! He is and always will be, the same - He never changes. Praise God for that! Cry out to Him! If you need help praying, please visit the Holy Spirit page and pray with the 1 hour Prayer Wheel from Big Life. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead you and give it all to God. There is nothing bigger than our mighty God! Don’t allow your burden and your aching heart to silence your prayers. Cry out and praise His blessed name in the midst of suffering or heartache like Hannah did. Our God is a faithful God and He will never leave us. Let’s be sure to always be faithful to Him and never leave Him. God bless!