Chasing Truth™: Read the Bible Cover to CoverSample

Interceding for Our Children

As we have read through 1 Samuel 1 and 2 this week, we see a moving story of the struggles of Hannah, wife to Elkanah. What woman who has looked forward to motherhood could not relate to Hannah’s desire for children, her grief over not being able to conceive, and her great longing as she sobs in the temple? 

Almost every woman has an innate longing for children. Some are able to conceive, and others are inexplicably not able to bear children. Often, those women who are not natural mothers become great spiritual mothers to many other children. Biological and spiritual mothers can both relate to Hannah’s longing for her child to serve God.

We raise our children from an early age to love God. We dedicate them back to the Lord at a young age, teach them to attend church, to read their Bibles, to pray, to trust God for every detail of their lives, and to have faith. We pray for them, model our faith, and watch them grow. 

Hannah was an example to us in many respects. As Samuel grew, she took care of him and prayed, vowing to return Samuel to the Lord. As she visited the temple and brought Samuel to serve, she says to Eli the priest, “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:27,28, NIV). 

As our children grow to adulthood, we see that they have a free will and a choice to serve God on their own or to stray. We have a responsibility as mothers and spiritual mothers to intercede on their behalf, so their spiritual life will remain strong.