1 Samuel 1:10-11
10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
Hannah makes the most of her circumstances and her rights in seeking God’s help:
- She comes to the Temple, God’s ‘home’ or ‘palace’ amongst his people, bringing her prayer right to his door.
- Her bitter tears underline the seriousness of her situation, which she highlights, calling God to look on his servant’s misery.
- In referring to herself as a servant, she is not belittling herself in this context, rather she is reminding God of his duty of care towards her as her master. Indeed, in making her case, she commits her child to continue that service towards God. He will be set apart for God as a Nazarite, not drinking alcohol or cutting his hair, like Samson before him and John the Baptist to come.
- She does all this knowing that God is the Lord Almighty, with the resources of heaven at his disposal. She might desperately need help, but God can match that need.
When we pray, we also pray knowing that our prayers are brought before him (see Revelation 8:3), that God has a duty of care towards us and the resources of heaven behind him. More than that, in Christ, we come as his children, forgiven and loved. If Hannah’s case was heard, how much more so will ours be when we pray.
What do you seek from God? Bring your prayers before him knowing he will listen to you.
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