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Hannah — Pain and Prayer
Hannah’s Story: 1 Samuel 1:1–28
In the Word
She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly (1 Samuel 1:10).
Of the Word
Have you ever been the object of ugly teasing? Almost everyone can remember the pain of hateful words. Hannah was the object of ridicule by Elkanah’s other wife. Peninnah had children; Hannah had none. Even Elkanah’s loving words could not soothe the deep hurt.
What was Hannah’s response? Tears. Loss of appetite. But most importantly, prayer. When she and her family made their annual trek to the house of the Lord, she silently but tearfully prayed for a son. Not a big family. Just a son. A son that she would give back to the Lord!
How do we respond to ugliness? Pay back in kind? No! We take our burdens to the Lord, the One Who has the power to heal and restore. We are reminded to, Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).
Walking with my Lord
Dear Lord, when I am burdened by worries and cares, when ugly words and troublesome people assail me, surround me with Your strength. Help me bring my cares to You and leave them with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Daughters of the King. Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 11/34 ©2013 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
