Mum’s prayers

The next morning Elkanah and his family got up early, and after worshipping the LORD, they went back home to Ramah. Elkanah had intercourse with his wife Hannah, and the LORD answered her prayer. So it was that she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, and explained, ‘I asked the Lord for him.’ (verses 19,20)

Read 1 Samuel 1:1-20

Samuel has been called ‘the kingmaker’ of God’s people, for it was through this prophet of God that God spoke into existence a political nation and great leaders within it. From this moment in history, God would create the great leaders of Israel who would bring great blessing to the people.

From the prophet Samuel there would come the first king, Saul. And then would come David, the great and faithful king of Israel, ‘a man after God’s own heart’. And then would come the most powerful, wealthy and wise king, Solomon.

All this great work of God from the faithful prayer of a mum! Hannah was found ‘pouring out [her] troubles to the LORD’ (1 Samuel 1:15). The Lord heard every one of her troubles and her prayers, and she was blessed in ways that she never could have imagined.

Lord, give me faith to pour out my troubles to you and trust to receive your blessing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

by Adrian Kitson, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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