Hannah: Woman of Prayer Week 2

Scripture references: I Samuel 1&2, Hebrews 11:1, 1 Peter 1:7 

Hello Ladies!!! This week’s focus is on Hannah and her faith in God. There is so much we can learn from her life like how she never gave up in prayer, how she honored her promise to God, and how she praised God for his grace. So let’s dive right into it! 

 

Background story:

 

In 1 Samuel 1 & 2, you will meet Hannah. Hannah was one of the wives of Elkanah and she had no children. The other wife, Peninnah, had children and would purposely irritate Hannah because her womb was closed. Though Elkanah loved Hannah more than Peninnah, Hannah was sad and continuously cried and would not eat. One day Hannah went to the temple and petitioned to the Lord. She could not bear the pain of her barrenness any longer, so prayed. During that prayer she made a promise to the Lord saying that if God would give her a son, then she will give him to the Lord and no razor would touch his head. After she prayed aloud she continued to pray in her heart, even though her lips were moving. The priest in the temple, Eli, thought she was drunk, but she told him that she was not drunk, instead she was in distress and was praying to God. Eli told her to go in peace and asked the Lord to grant Hannah’s request. After that, Hannah was no longer sad and she began eating again. Some time later, Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a boy, because God had remembered her. She named him Samuel, which means “asked of God.” Hannah kept her promise to God and dedicated Samuel to the Lord and he worshipped the Lord in the temple.She did her happy dance and shout, praising God who made her barrenness cease.

 

Devotional Challenge:

 

Have you ever prayed about something on your heart and did not hear the voice of the Lord for a long period of time? Are you going through that now? What did you do? What are you doing? Did you continue to pray about the matter or did you stop petitioning it to God? Sometimes it is difficult to continue to pray because you do not see what your praying for or people around you are not encouraging you to remain in prayer. Take a look at what Hannah did. 

 

How did she deal with the silence of God on the matter of her request? We learn through Hannah’s actions that she never stopped having faith that God would answer her prayers and give her a son. Yes, Hannah did allow negative comments to cause her distress, but when she was in distress she turned to God in prayer. She was tested to see if her faith was pure (1 Peter 1:7), and she was perseverant in prayer. Faith is being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you don’t see. Hebrews 11:1 Hannah had faith in God and hoped for a son, even though she was not physically pregnant at the time, she had faith that God would give her a son. When you have faith that God will provide exactly what you’re asking for, whatever that may be that is God’s will for you, then you never need to doubt in God’s ability to provide that need. 

 

Questions for week 1 to focus on:

1.What are some things you began to pray for, but gave up because you did not see it come to pass?

2.How do you deal with the silence of God about a request you lift up to Him?

3.Hannah prayed to God in her moments of distress. Who do you turn to when you get hit with discouragement?

4.What are some prayers that God has answered and how persistent were you in prayer?

5.Read Luke 18:1-8 – parable about the persistent widow and correlate that to Hannah’s story. How persistent are you in seeing the things God has for you??

6.How can you strengthen your faith to believe in what you do not see?

 

Memory Verse:

 

Hebrews 11:1 – Faith is being sure of what you hope for, certain of what you do not see.

 

 

Written by Far More Precious’ board member Anne Joseph. Please feel free to check out her blog on MODESTY at www.garmentsofskin.com