And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 1 Samuel 1:10-11
For years, she fasted and prayed. Surely, she must have wondered why God did not answer her desperate request. She could not avoid the mockery of her adversary, either. The one who enjoyed Hannah’s tears and reveled in her own ability to have children never hesitated to twist the knife of disappointment. Why did Hannah continue to pray after so many years of sorrow? What moved her to believe God would hear and answer her request? Hannah believed that the God she prayed to cared and was able to do the impossible. Her faith drove her to her knees one more time.
Hannah’s prayer is the first recorded prayer of a woman in the Bible. Her story can be read in 1 Samuel 1-2. Several women before her had been barren. Both Leah and Rachel must have prayed for children, as Genesis 30:17,22 records that God hearkened unto them by opening their wombs. The Bible clearly indicates that God is the author of life and the decider of the timing of each life. While each woman waited and prayed, God was working out the details.
In Hannah’s case, the spiritual leadership of the kingdom of Israel was corrupt. The current priest, Eli, who rebuked Hannah because he thought she was drunk, refused to rebuke his own sons for their evil actions. Hophni and Phinehas were rebellious to the commands of God as they seduced the women who brought their offerings and removed the parts of the sacrifices that were meant for God alone. (See 1 Samuel 3). It was to this man that Hannah would entrust the son she prayed for so that he could one day take Eli’s place.
Why did God record Hannah’s prayer for generations after her to read? Surely, He has a lesson for each of us to learn. Perhaps, we can glean something from her example today.
- First, it should be noted that, unlike Rachel, who demanded that her husband give her a son, Hannah knew that only God could answer her request. Even though her prayer went unanswered year after year, Hannah never stopped praying. Much like the story Jesus told in Luke 18:1-8, there is never a good reason to stop asking God for an answer. God is looking for every opportunity to reward the faith of His people.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
- Next, we can see that Hannah prayed a specific prayer. She did not meander around her request by halfheartedly asking God to bless her and her husband. She did not just weep and worry and hope God understood her request. No, Hannah asked God to give her a child that she would give back to God. God desires His children to ask Him for specific requests so that He can show them His answer.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6
- In addition, we can see that Hannah prayed with a surrendered heart. She understood her own responsibility to dedicate the answer she asked for back to God as a living sacrifice, meant to bring Him glory. Her request was not self-motivated. Her request was meant to show the might of her God’s greatness. Should we not also frame our requests in the light of surrender?
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42
- Finally, Hannah never let her song to the Lord give way to complaint. She could have looked back in bitterness at all the years she had spent praying and waiting. She could have wallowed in unforgiveness at Peninnah’s abuse. She could have wept year by year that she could not be with her son, after she dropped him off in the temple. She could have spent her time in anxiety and fear over what might go wrong. Instead, 1 Samuel 2 records her song of praise. Many years later, Mary, the mother of Jesus, would pattern her Magnificat after Hannah’s song in Luke 1:46-55. Hannah’s heart of surrender inspired Mary’s joy in serving God, too. Both women’s examples inspire us with the joy of letting God use our circumstances to bring Himself glory. We, as daughters of God, have a wonderful heritage to look to in the faith of both of these women.
And Hannah prayed, and said,
My heart rejoiceth in the Lord,
mine horn is exalted in the Lord:
my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies;
because I rejoice in thy salvation.
There is none holy as the Lord:
for there is none beside thee:
neither is there any rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:1-2
And Mary said,
My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:
for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him
from generation to generation. Luke 1:46-50
I pray that you have been as encouraged and challenged by Hannah’s prayer as I have. There is never any reason to stop praying. Even now, God is working. By continuing to ask specifically, with a surrendered heart, there will soon come a joyful reason to praise. He will do the great things that will bring Him glory. We have only to keep asking. Amen.
His Song in the Night 