Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Mothers (05/02/05)
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TITLE: The Prayers of Hannah | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jerry Johnson
05/09/05 -
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Once when they had finished their sacrifice, Hannah stood at the doorpost of the temple and prayed, “O Lord Almighty, look upon your servant’s misery and remember me. If you will give me a son, I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
She prayed this prayer repeatedly, first out loud, then silently with her lips moving. When Eli the priest saw her, he thought she was drunk
“Get rid of your wine,” Eli scolded. “It is not proper for a woman like you to keep getting drunk.”
“Not so, my Lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a troubled woman who has not drunk wine or beer. I have been pouring my soul to the Lord.”
Eli heard her words and realized she was sober. “Go in peace,” he said. “May the Lord of Israel grant your request.”
At these words, Hannah’s spirit was lifted. She joined Elkanah, and they shared some food. She began to smile. It was the beginning of a wonderful evening.
The next morning, after worshipping the Lord, they returned to their home in Ramathaim. A few months later, Hannah knew that the Lord had answered her prayer. Soon afterwards, she bore a son and named him Samuel, saying, “I asked the Lord for him”
Hannah remembered her vow to the Lord. When the time of their annual sacrifice came again, Hannah told her husband, “You go on. I will stay here and care for Samuel. As soon as he is weaned, we will go to Shiloh and present him to the Lord. He will live the rest of his life with the priests.”
After Samuel was weaned, which was about the age of three years, Hannah and Elkanah returned to Shiloh with Samuel.
When Hannah saw Eli, she said, “You may remember me. I am the woman who stood here beside you praying about three years ago. You thought I was drunk. The Lord did just as you said and gave me a son. Now I am ready to give him to the Lord for his whole life.”
Then Hannah prayed joyously, “My heart rejoices in the Lord who strengthens me. I will speak praises, for you have delivered me from my affliction. You are most holy. There is no one beside you. There is no Rock like our God. “
She continued, “Let us avoid all vain words, for the Lord is a God who knows the value of our deeds. The warrior’s bows are broken, but those who stumble are strengthened.”
“Those who were full now hunger, and those who were once hungry, are now satisfied. She who was barren now bears seven children, but she who has many sons now pines away.”
“The Lord brings death and life, poverty and wealth, humility and pride. He raises the poor from the ash heap and places him on a throne of honor.”
“The foundations of Earth are the Lord’s. On them he has set the world. He guards the feet of his saints and casts the wicked into darkness.”
“One cannot prevail by his own strength. Those who rise up against the Lord shall be destroyed. The thunder shall sound and the Lord will judge all people of the earth. He gives strength to the king and exalts the horn of his anointed.”
Hannah returned with her husband. Samuel stayed with Eli and grew up in the house of the Lord.
After that, Hannah visited Samuel once a year, bringing him a robe that she had made. She watched with pride as he performed the duties of a priest and spoke with great wisdom beyond his years.
She prayed her first prayer with sorrow. The Lord answered that prayer and her sorrow was turned to joy. She prayed her second prayer with joy as she presented Samuel to the priests to do the work of the Lord. That joy continued as that little child grew into one of Israel’s greatest prophets.
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