A Year of Prayer: Season One Weekday DevotionalsSample

The Lord came. And stood. And called.

There were other times recorded that the Lord had come. And stood. And called.

What do you think when you hear this passionate account of God pursuing connection and revelation with this little holy boy? God sought out this child who had been so wanted by his desperate mother, Hannah, that she was prepared to give him up for the Lord’s service.

This wasn’t slavery or separation. It was a complete relationship of hope, where Hannah had sought God for a holy blessing, and her son Samuel was delivered as a promised result. Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2 bears a striking resemblance to Mary’s Magnificat. In fact, some commentators believe that Mary’s song takes themes from Hannah’s, and the two are entwined for eternity. Sons longed for, sons given, sons offered up to God.

The name Samuel means ‘heard by God.’ How incredible that Samuel was both heard by God, and heard God himself? That Hannah heard God and prayed to God so fervently that God heard her? The prayers of the faithful who go before us, name us, bear with us, and witness our dedication to the house of the Lord are powerful.

Prayer: God, I praise your name for my life. I thank you that a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I choose to rededicate my life to you today.

Action: Does your name have any significance? What about the faithful people in your life who have prayed or spoken words over you? If nothing else, we can look to the power of a God who sees the orphan, the widow, and the fatherless and calls us family, calls us friend.