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Hannah’s Prayer

1 Then Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the LORD;

in the LORD my horn is lifted high.

My mouth boasts over my enemies,

for I delight in your deliverance.

2 “There is no one holy like the LORD;

there is no one besides you;

there is no Rock like our God.

3 “Do not keep talking so proudly

or let your mouth speak such arrogance,

for the LORD is a God who knows,

and by him deeds are weighed.

4 “The bows of the warriors are broken,

but those who stumbled are armed with strength.

5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,

but those who were hungry are hungry no more.

She who was barren has borne seven children,

but she who has had many sons pines away.

6 “The LORD brings death and makes alive;

he brings down to the grave and raises up.

7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth;

he humbles and he exalts.

8 He raises the poor from the dust

and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

he seats them with princes

and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s;

on them he has set the world.”

 

In this prayer, Hannah praises God for answering her prayers. She had been unable to bear a child and went to the temple to pray for God to bless her with a child. She promised to give her first born son to the Lord. After she bore a son, Samuel, and he was between 3 and4, she brought him to the temple to be a servant of God. Samuel goes on to be the spiritual leader of Israel and he anoints the first two kings, Saul and David.

Hannah’s faith in God and perseverance in her prayers were rewarded when she gave birth to Samuel. She knew that this was an act of God. She also remembered her promise to give her son to the Lord for all his days. Samuel goes on to be a great leader in Israel and instrumental in their transition from a tribal community to a kingdom. Hannah’s faith and praise for God sets her apart. She could have been depressed and bitter in not being able to have children. She could have sought revenge on her enemy, Elkanah’s other wife Penninah. Instead, she praised God’s power and glory above all.

I think that her prayer clearly shows us that God is in control. He can humble the rich and powerful as well as raise up the weak and lowly.

 

Dear Lord, Teach us to praise you in all things. You provide for us in all that we do. We give thanks to you for your power and glory and grace. Amen.

Barry Dougherty barryd72@aol.com

 

Prayer concern - Remembering that God is in control.

Alternate verses - Psalm 146:5-10 and Luke 3:1-18