Hannah: A Praying Mother
- Sara Hanna
- May 11
- 5 min read
In 1 Samuel 1, we meet Hannah who was one of two wives married to Elkanah. Peninnah was the other wife and she had children, but Hannah was unable to conceive. The Bible tells us that Peninnah would irritate and provoke Hannah making fun of her because she was unable to have children. This behavior was so bad that when Hannah went up to worship in the Tabernacle she would weep and not eat. Isn't it sad that throughout time humans have been so unkind to others. Thankfully, Elkanah assured Hannah of his love and attempted to comfort her. But as we all know, sometimes we just need a little more than our husband's kind words. Peninnah and Elkanah were both looking at Hannah's outward appearance and reacting, but God was already looking at Hannah's heart and He already had a plan. Hannah was like us in that she had no way of knowing God's plan for her life or how He was moving to orchestrate things.
Often when the winds of turmoil surround us, it seems that the storms of rain begin pounding. As they finished eating, Hannah got up and went to pray. Sister let me just say that if you have never experienced intense, heart-wrenching prayer you likely can't imagine this. There have been three times in my life that I was so burdened or heartbroken that as I poured out my heart to God it was heaving. The Bible describes Hannah during her prayer as "in deep anguish and weeping bitterly." During this time, she made a vow to God. I Samuel 1:11 “And she vowed a vow and said, 'O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.'” As Hannah longed for a child, troubled, and broken-hearted she was counting on God to change her circumstances and life. She prayed this day and no doubt many other days trusting her God. As she was pouring her heart out, she was observed by the high priest, Eli, who thought she had been drinking and was drunk. Imagine how she must have felt. Once again, we see Hannah's heart as she answered Eli respectively explaining that she was pouring her heart out to God. The Bible does not say she ever retaliated towards Peninnah, she didn't blame her husband or God. She just prayed pouring her heart out and trusted God. We have all been in situations similar to Hannah and know the heartbreak of wanting something (or someone) so bad. How often do we pour our hearts out as Hannah did?
In verse 17, Eli instructed Hannah to go in peace and that God would grant what she had asked. She thanked Eli and began eating again and was no longer sad. Friend, the Bible doesn't use the word "fast" here, but that's exactly what Hannah was doing. Some believe she was too sick to eat. My belief is that she was praying and fasting, trusting God completely. Fasting isn't something to be entered into lightly and there are correct ways and considerations that must be evaluated, but let me tell you that there is power in prayer and fasting!!! The next morning, they got up and worshiped the Lord before heading home. Are you catching this scene? Everything Hannah did was focused on God. She was a prayer warrior!
Fast forward to the next year when Elkanah and his family was going on their yearly trip to offer a sacrifice- Hannah did not go because she was weaning her son, Samuel! Yes, God heard and answered her prayer giving her a son! Hannah told Elkanah in verse 22 that she would take Samuel to the Tabernacle and present him to the Lord, where he would live after he was weaned. She did as she promised God, as seen in verse 24 when she took Samuel as well as a sacrifice to the Tabernacle. I absolutely LOVE Hannah's heart in verses 27-28: "For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore, I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord." Hannah named her son “Samuel” which means, “heard by God” or “God has heard."
Hannah made a promise to God, and she followed through on the promise after God answered her prayer. I want to pause here and say it isn't always a smart idea to make a promise during a prayer that you are not willing to walk through. To make a promise to God and then ignore the promise is not a good thing to do.
Hannah loved God and her son so much that she gave up what she most wanted, her son, to be dedicated for his entire life in serving God. In truth, she was just giving him back to God. Hannah gave God the best gift that she had. Hannah continued to visit Samuel yearly, even bringing him a robe (2:19). Years later, Samuel lived in the hometown of Hannah and Elkanah.
Hannah's prayer of praise for the gift of her son is found in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. I encourage you to read these 10 verses that give a wonderful glimpse of Hannah's heart. Hannah's refers to God as making her rejoice, making her strong, rescuing her, being holy, no Rock like God, knowing all that we do, our judge, giver of life and death, sovereign over all, protecting his faithful followers, and more. She no doubt knew God personally because of her prayer life. Let's fast forward from 1 Samuel 1:9-18 which is the passage I was just describing to 1 Samuel 2:1-10. How sweet are both prayers of Hannah especially when we look at the time in history that this took place.
Hannah went on to have three sons and two daughters. Her God was so faithful to her! Hannah's devotion, surrender, and trust in God resulted in years of goodness for her family and country. Samuel became a prominent prophet and judge in the OT, anointed Saul as first king of Israel, and later anointed David. It couldn’t have been easy for Hannah to hold onto her faith and continue in prayer, but the results of Hannah’s faithfulness and trust in God reaped more benefits than Hannah could have ever imagined! Sweet sister, just like Hannah, you will likely never know all the results of your prayers for your children either! Cover them, bathe them in your prayer’s night and day! Samuel was the most respected Judge that Israel ever had- do ya think that began with Hannah? How might your child's life be different through your prayers?
Friend, determine to be like Hannah. She sought God instead of trying to fix her situation herself. She poured her heart out to God knowing that He loved her and knew exactly what was happening in her life. She trusted God with her needs, desires, and with her son for HIS plans. She considered the steadfast love of God and trusted Him completely.
Verses to meditate on: 1 Samuel chapters 1-3 (esp. 1:10-11, 2:12-26), Psalm 107, Ephesians 3:16-21
What do you need to take to God in prayer today?
Do you need to get away by yourself to pour your heart out to God, to weep, and petition Him humbling yourself before Him?
Are there aspects about Biblical fasting that you'd like to learn more about? Today may be a great day to begin.
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