1 Samuel 1:4-20

4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"

9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple. 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon 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."

12 As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."

15 "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."

17 Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."

18 She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 20So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."

Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.

Mahatma Gandhi

Subject Sentences

A committed, petitioning wife, gave back, what the Lord had given her.

Despairing, barren Hannah prays for and dedicates son; God hears; Samuel born.

Eli blesses childless, praying Hannah, who receives answer and bears son Samuel.

Aims - This passage . . .

. . . allows me to examine my petitions and prayers and to not give up on them.

. . . causes me to appreciate our access to God and His understanding of our deepest needs even when those around us, even those who love us cannot.

. . . causes me to give thanks for loved ones who support and encourage.

. . . causes me to take time and get to know someone before making assumptions.

. . . causes me to remember to give God thanks and praise for his answers.

Applications

Who do I resent or ignore or dismiss that I need to instead give empathy and compassion to?

When I pray to I simply ask God to grant me things, or with
my petitions do I make vows and commitments?

Am I willing to give back what he has given to me?

What is it that troubles me that I should bring to God in heartfelt prayer and then be able to leave it there with Him?

What things that I am troubled by and have prayed about can I trust Him with and move on to live with joy?

Do I recognize the blessings I have, or am I always in "if only" mode?

What can I do to get to know someone's story before drawing conclusions about them?

How do I follow through on my promises to God?