Hannah and SamuelSample

A Mother's Heart

Hannah is a woman who goes to God both in her grief and rejoicing. The scripture tells us in 1 Samuel 1 that Hannah’s prayers of grief and longing are expressed in weeping before God as she pours out her soul in both spoken words and the silent whispers of a broken heart. When it comes time to rejoice, Hannah is found releasing her son Samuel into ministry and singing a prayer poem declaring who God is. This mother’s heart chooses God as her rock in sorrow and joy. ‘There is no one besides you: there is no rock like our God.’

Hannah’s prayer song became a mother’s prayer for the people of God and was repeated or referred to annually at the feast of trumpets. This prayer song also became a reminder that God’s way is to come to the humble and raise them up.

Passed on through the generations, we can find the essence of Hannah’s prayer song again in Mary’s prayer song as she discovers she is to become the mother of Jesus. As you read through Hannah’s song you may recall songs you have sung yourself that hold some of the words of this mother’s heart for her own life, her nation and the God she loves.

Surely there is a place for us to take up this prayer for the world. To call people again to look to God and remember that God raises the humble to partner with Him.

Written by KATH HENRY