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TITLE: For This Child I Prayed | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dot Hannah
03/11/15
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For This Child I Prayed

March 10, 2015

Beyond the rich, walnut doors her anguishing cries could be heard. Her face was ashen, and her eyes filled with sadness as she sobbed uncontrollably. Her husband placed a protective arm around her and whispered, “Oh, Hannah, don’t fret about this anymore.” Her sobs became softer but her pain persisted. She was carrying a gigantic load yearning for a child and was staggering underneath it. In an attempt to comfort her he said, “You have me, and everything will be alright. Am I not better than ten sons?”

Later, acting out of nosiness not concern, her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, came in with her usual arrogance, seizing every opportunity to torment and belittle Hannah. She said, “Great is my husband’s disappointment in you and your barrenness.” Her grim, thin face was etched in delight as she thoroughly enjoyed irritating Hannah. She continued, “Life is composed of duties. A wife’s duty is to bare children, but you have never fulfilled your duty. You have no pretty young sons to kiss and care for, and you are a miserable failure.” Day after day she assassinated Hannah’s self esteem. Her lack of sensitivity only revealed her slavery to jealousy because her husband loved Hannah so much. While she was present, Hannah remained very collected and betrayed no agitation, but as soon as she was alone she broke down. Peninnah’s harsh words could have easily caused her to give up. For years she had lived in a settled gloom, but something within compelled her to have a divine hope in her God.

She was a bundle of nerves, as she pulled herself together and rushed out into the warm, clear afternoon on her way to the temple. She was desperate, so desperate that it had colored her whole outlook on life. She arrived downcast and exhausted. Falling prostrate before God weeping, she poured out her heart, mouth moving, but with no audible words. “Lord, if You will remember me and give me a son, I will give him back to You all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” With appalling suddenness, the priest said, “Why must you come to the temple drunk?” Blushing slightly she explained, “I am not drunk but praying out of anguish and grief, asking God for a child.” Without hesitation he said, “May God bless you and give you what you are asking for.”

No longer downcast, she stood feeling a deep, powerful presence of hope. A smile hovered over her confident face, and a wave of sweetness passed through her. She had substituted her worry for prayer and envisioned what God meeting her need would do for the good of others. With high expectation, she waited, assured her request would be granted. The weeks flew past, and life flowed on again with a new enthusiasm. Peninnah observed that something was different. Her distressing behavior no longer bothered Hannah. Hannah’s pretty smile hid a deep secret. She now knew that she was of great value to God, and he would no longer allow her to be used as Peninnah’s footstool.

The day came when a serene radiance enveloped her as she learned that she had conceived. Feeling the thrill of motherhood, all her lightheartedness returned, and she was exhausted with happiness. Life is a journey, and one answer to prayer can change everything. She confessed, “I am highly favored by God.” She could not have known that her son would grow up to become one of the most significant of God’s prophets and judges as she held his little hand and led him to the temple after he was weaned. How handsome he was. Still more wonderful, three additional sons and two daughters were born to her; a reminder to her that she could not out give God and that God will intervene if you ask Him. The moral to this story is don’t you dare lose hope.

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.” (1 Samuel 1:27) NIV

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