Hannah: Prayer That Changed History

Women in Faith 003

Hannah is mentioned only 13 times by name in the King James Version but plays a very important part in guiding us to be whom we are meant to be. In the original Hebrew, her name is spelled Channah חַנָּה (meaning "grace")

A big part of life is the problems that will come upon us. They can be major probelms like sicknesses or small inconviences like our bosses temper. No matter how big or small the Bible tells us that no matter what it is, if it matters to us it matters to God. 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

Hannah’s story starts out introducing us to her family. Her husband Elkanah, who loved her dearly, despite the fact that her womb was shut and she could not bear him sons. But she was not alone, Elkanah had another wife, Peninnah. The Bible speaks of Peninnah as Hannah’s adversary. 1 Samuel 1:6-7 “And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.” “And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.”

This troubled Hannah so she brought it to the Lord year after year. 1 Samuel 1:10 “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.” The meaning of wept sore בָּכָה is to weep, bewail, cry, shed tears.

1 Samuel 1:11 “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” The beauty of Hannah's account is not just that God answered her prayer—it is how she responded after He answered it. 1 Samuel 1:19-20 “And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.” “Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.”

Hannah's answer did not come the same day she prayed. It did not even come that same week. Yet Scripture simply says, "the LORD remembered her." God had never forgotten Hannah. His timing was perfect, even when His silence felt long.

1 Samuel 1:27-28 “For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:” “Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” Hannah honored her promise that she had promised to God. One could even argue that God blessed her so because he knew what her actions would he before she even fulfilled her promise. God knows His people and their hearts, he knows what you will do and say well before anything happens. True faith doesn't merely ask God for His gifts; it willingly places those gifts back into His hands.

Her journey didn’t stop there, 1 Samuel 2:1 “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.” Her connection to God didn’t disappear after she gave the blessing back, after her part of the promise was completed, she worshiped. Her blessing and answered prayers were not the thing holding her to her cross.

Like Hannah, we all carry burdens that no one else fully understands. Maybe your prayer hasn't been answered yet. Maybe you've prayed the same prayer for months or even years, but don’t let your unanswered prayers be the only thing holding you to the cross, be a devout Christian, God wants to bless you because of your valiant devotion and worshipping heart!

Mark 11:9 “And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:”