The story of Hannah in the Bible is one of tremendous faith in God, despite feeling like her prayers were going unanswered.
Most of us will face times in our lives when it seems as though God does not hear our prayers. Despite our desperate cries for God’s intervention, our prayers seem to go unanswered.
During these times, it can be tempting to give up on God or turn away from him in offense.
Sadly, when we harden our hearts toward the Lord, we often miss out on his blessings. Our God is a good Father, and he invites us to trust in him while we wait for him to answer our prayers.
He does not withhold good gifts from his children; more accurately, his timing and his methods are often mysterious to us.
One of the most powerful examples of faithful trust in God despite unanswered prayers is found in the story of a devoted woman named Hannah.
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Who Was Hannah in the Bible
Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel. She was also a wife of Elkanah. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah.
Hannah was a barren woman who had been unable to conceive; meanwhile, Elkanah’s wife Peninnah had given him many sons.
We find the story of Hannah’s life in the Old Testament, specifically in the first book of Samuel, primarily in the first two chapters of the book.
These chapters explore Hannah’s infertility, her desire to bear children, and her powerful example of prayer.
Despite her barrenness, Hannah’s husband, Elkanah, considered her his favorite wife.
Every year, when he sacrificed at the House of the Lord in Shiloh, he gave Peninnah and her sons a portion, but he gave Hannha a double portion.
Hannah, with a heart full of hope, prayed fervently to God, vowing that if He blessed her with a son, she would dedicate this child to serve the Lord for all his life.
God, in His grace, heard Hannah’s prayer, blessing her with a son whom she named Samuel, meaning “I have asked him from the Lord.”
Keeping her promise to God, Hannah brought Samuel to the temple after weaning him, dedicating his life to the Lord’s service under the guidance of Eli the priest.
Samuel was destined to become one of Israel’s most significant and revered prophets, playing a crucial role in transitioning from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy by anointing Saul and David, the first kings of Israel.
Hannah’s story stands as a powerful testament to unwavering faith, the efficacy of prayer, and God’s unfailing faithfulness in responding to His people’s earnest pleas.
Lessons from Hannah in the Bible
Hannah’s story continues as follows: Every year, Hannah’s husband, Elkanah, made his annual sacrifice to the Lord at Shiloh.
Meanwhile, Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, mocked Hannah because of her barrenness.
Hannah was a woman of sorrowful spirit; nevertheless, she had great faith. In great anguish, Hannah poured her heart out to the Lord and asked him to open her womb.
The Lord heard her prayer and opened Hannah’s womb: She conceived a son and gave him the name Samuel, dedicating him to the Lord all the days of his life.
Let’s take a closer look at the details of Hannah’s story as we glean some lessons from her life.
Remember That Prayer Is Warfare
In her desperation to conceive, when she prayed in the house of the Lord, Hannah began her prayer with these words: “O Lord of hosts.” In doing so, she recognized that her battle was not merely a battle in the physical realm; it was also a spiritual battle.
Because we cannot see everything that takes place in the spiritual world, it’s easy for us to forget that forces of good and evil are always at war in the spiritual realm. God calls us to pray in Jesus’ name and stand on his authority as we set forces in motion in the spiritual world.
Never forget that prayer is warfare. When you cry out to God, spiritual forces in the heavenly realms start moving.
God Calls Us to Persist in Prayer
We don’t know how long Hannah prayed for a child; however, her story indicates that she was barren for a significant amount of time.
In times like these, it can be difficult to remain faithful in prayer. Nevertheless, God hears the prayers of his children.
We can trust that he will respond in his perfect way and his perfect timing.
Are you growing weary as you continue asking God to answer a prayer in your life? Don’t lose heart.
Thank him for hearing your prayers and continue praying with hope and expectation as you wait for his answer.
We Are to Pray With Hope
Hannah continued praying for a child because she had hope. She never gave up hope that God would hear her prayer and answer according to her greatest expectations.
Much to her delight, God answered. She gave birth to a son and named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him of the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:20, NASB).
Don’t give up hope as you wait on God. He is capable of answering your prayer in his perfect timing. Pray with hope and pray with expectation.
We Are to Pray With Passion
As Hannah prayed, a priest named Eli watched her. Hannah’s words flowed passionately, and she was so filled with the Holy Spirit that Eli thought she was drunk.
However, after he realized that Hannah was not drunk, Eli declared, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him” (1 Samuel 1:17, NKJV).
Have you ever prayed with such passion that others stared and could not explain your vehemence? God is delighted when we seek him with our whole hearts.
God’s Grace Meets Us in Our Distress
Hannah’s name means “grace” or “favor.” Hannah was a good woman. Year after year, Hannah earnestly sought the Lord for a child, and God heard her prayer.
The presence of the Lord was nearby. In his grace, he changed Hannah’s status from that of a barren woman to that of a mother.
God wants to meet you and impart his grace when you are in distress. Cry out to him. He is waiting to work in your life and accomplish what you have been unable to do in your human strength.
God Is Honored by Our Dedication
Hannah eventually gave birth to a male child named Samuel.
After the birth of Samuel, Hannah waited until he was weaned. She then made a little robe for him and took him to the house of the Lord to serve with Eli, the priest.
Most likely, leaving her miracle child at the house of God was difficult for Hannah; however, she was faithful to keep her word to the Lord.
As a result, God worked in Samuel’s life in mighty ways, and he also blessed Hannah with more children. We can trust that God will not waste our sacrifices or our dedication.
God Is Pleased When We Thank Him
After leaving Samuel with Eli, Hannah prayed a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving to God, known as “Hannah’s Prayer.”
This prayer can be found in 1 Samuel 2 where she thanked God for answering her prayer and providing her with a son.
She praised God’s name to the ends of the earth and magnified his strength and goodness. We should do the same when God answers our prayers.
It’s easy to forget to thank God after he answers our prayers. We attribute our circumstances to coincidence and overlook the fact that the God of the Universe has intervened on our behalf.
When you pray, watch for God to respond, and make it a point to thank him for answering you.
God Speaks to His Children
After Hannah left Samuel with Eli, the Lord spoke to young Samuel. It was rare for God to speak to anyone during those days.
At first, Samuel did not know who was speaking to him.
Eli encouraged Samuel to receive God’s Word. In the same way, God wants to speak to us today.
He rarely speaks in an audible voice, but he speaks through his Word, gentle impressions, wisdom, circumstances, other people, and more.
God wants to speak to you today. Are you listening?
Obedience Often Has a Cost
When God spoke to Samuel, he told him that because the sons of Eli were sinful, he was going to judge and discipline Eli’s house.
Samuel shared this bad report with Eli, who received the words with humility.
This part of the story is a gentle reminder to us: When he speaks to us, God often calls us to difficult assignments.
It was most likely difficult for Samuel to share the troubling words with Eli; however, he obeyed.
When we seek the Lord’s direction, we must be prepared to obey—even if the cost is difficult.
God Does Great Works Through Devoted Servants
Additionally, Hannah’s story teaches us that God does great works through his dedicated servants. God’s plan was ultimately to use Hannah as a catalyst for a magnificent work.
Samuel became a foundational leader for God’s people. He anointed Israel’s first king, Saul, and later identified King David as God’s next leader.
A woman who was, at first, merely one of the wives of Elkanah was used in mighty ways to fulfill God’s plan for his people.
Perhaps you have been praying over a specific matter or difficult situation for a very long time.
You might feel tempted to give up on God or turn away from him. Maybe you question whether he even hears your prayers.
Let Hannah’s story fill you with hope. God hears the prayers of his dedicated children.
His ways are not our ways, and his thoughts are not our thoughts. He answers our prayers in his way and his timing.
Don’t lose heart or give up hope if you are still waiting for God to answer a prayer that is close to your heart.
Keep seeking his face. Commit your life to him, and you can trust that he will withhold no good gift from you.
Pray Like Hannah!
No matter what your circumstances might be, no matter how hopeless a situation you might be in, you can pray like Hannah! Take your burdens and tears to God and allow Him to heal your brokenness.
Pray persistently and faithfully as you turn your heartaches over to God. Just like Hannah, you may not see results for years, but you can rest knowing that God is faithful and He loves you more than anything!
When you think about these life lessons of Hannah from the Bible, take some time to reflect on your life.
What life lessons are you leaving as a heritage to those who live with you? What example are you sharing with others about how you handle trials and difficulties?
Then give your worries, fears, disappointments, tears, and sorrow to God. Ask Him to fill your heart with faithfulness and a song to sing to bless others.
Women played such an important role in biblical history. Read more about them in our Women of the Bible series!
