For This Child I Prayed~

TGIF Greetings!

 

One thing we all have in common is that we all have moms, and this Sunday is a day that is set aside to honor moms. So today let's take a look at one fabulous, inspiring mom from the Bible. Her name is Hannah.

 

Hannah could not get pregnant. She longed for a child, and it was heartbreaking. To make matters worse, others in her community made fun of her because she couldn't get pregnant ( I guess mean girls have always been a problem), and, surprise surprise, her own husband didn't understand her. He was so thoughtful that in 1 Samuel 1:8 he asks her, "Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

 

What did Hannah do?

 

I Samuel 1:11-12, "Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably.'Oh, God...take a good, hard look at my pain, go into action for me by giving me a son, I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline."

 

Verse 19 tells us that as Hannah and her husband made love, "God began making the necessary arrangements in response to what she had asked."

 

First, let's address a couple of notable points from this passage.

 

Sometimes we are going to be crushed in our souls. It's part of life. Hannah didn't turn to anyone or anything but her Lord. He is always a good starting point when we are inconsolable. She was also bold. Can we really tell God to go into action for us? Yes!

 

And it's true. The Bible also says Hannah and her husband made love. Amen! This is part of God's design for marriage, and it's beautiful. Why would He shy away from something He created? Notice that Hannah and her husband had to literally do something for God to move supernaturally. You can't ask for a baby then sit back and not sleep with your hubby. So many things in life boil down to taking a step of faith. That is a principle we can almost apply universally.

 

"Lord, help me get into college." God says, "Fill out the application."

"Lord, help me meet the right person to marry." God says, "Follow my guidelines for who is and who isn't a good companion and go out on a date."

"Lord, help me love my spouse whom I don' t like that much anymore." God says, "Love is not a feeling; it's an action. Cook him dinner."

"Lord, I need more income." God says, "Schedule some job interviews. I've got your back."

 

There is a pattern here for us to follow. We pray, and then we act accordingly.

 

Nevertheless, God began doing His new thing--making a way--bringing rivers of new life into Hannah's barrenness, and verse 20 says, "Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, 'I asked God for him.'”

 

We pray; He hears. Amen amen amen!

 

And if you are a mom, want to be a mom, or are currently pregnant, please take this next verse to heart and cherish it forever.

This chapter concludes with Hannah joyfully testifying, "For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to Him."

 

FOR THIS CHILD I PRAYED!

 

When moms pray amazing things happen in their families. Samuel grew up to be a mighty man of God who was powerful and prominent in his nation of Israel.

 

And one more thing. Hannah went from being unable to have children to eventually becoming a mom to three more sons and two daughters. Glory :)

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Thank You for moms. Some of our moms are in Your tender care, and we are grateful that we will see them again. For those moms here on earth, bless them with long healthy lives. We are grateful that Your Word teaches us that when we invite You to go into action for us, You do. We count ourselves among the faithful who can say that we are praying for those we love--especially our children. In Jesus' name, AMEN~