ARTICLE – 25 September 2016

Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving is considered one of the great prayers mentioned in the Bible. We first have to learn from the life of Hannah to appreciate and understand why her prayer has been hailed as a model for Christians today. Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah, the other being Penninah. Her plight came about because she was barren. Being infertile, she was subject to the provocations and taunts of Penninah who was able to bear children for her husband: “And because the Lord had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her” (1 Samuel 1:6). Although Hannah was very much loved by her husband, it did not console her. In desperation and with perseverance and faith, she prayed to God for a son.

There is much to learn about Hannah’s qualities and apply them to our Christian living and prayers.

First of all, Hannah is a prayerful and devout servant of God. Despite facing overwhelming difficulties in life, she did not retaliate to the torments she received; instead she cast her burdens to God. She prays specifically and unconditionally for a son. In gratitude, she made a vow that if the Lord would bless her with a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord’s service: “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I will give him to the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:27, 28). Imagine a mother making the painful sacrifice to be separated from her son. Samuel (as her son was called) served as the assistant to the priest Eli in the tabernacle. Hannah may be an ordinary person living in a pivotal time in Israel’s history; but Samuel is no ordinary child. He would become a mighty prophet and as a judge. He would appoint the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. She is full of exultations for and confidence in the Lord (1 Samuel 2:1, 2) besides being most humble. When the Lord blessed her, she is full of gratitude too. All these qualities and the faith she has for the Lord placed her very favourably in God’s eyes and He blessed her with more children. Unknown to her, God was using her to drive her to a particular kind of prayer. It may be that those who encounter the most setbacks and frustrations in life are precious to Him.

The fact that Hannah was constantly provoked and that she did not react in a negative way but she responded with the divine weapon of prayer rather than a sharp tongue is most commendable. Hannah’s story also teaches us that God can use human weakness to accomplish great things. It also illustrates that God does indeed answer the prayer of those who come to Him in faith. This should encourage us to bring all our problems prayerfully to God? God answers prayer!