The Women Before Us Bible Study – Hannah

The Praying Mama
Hannah’s Story

This week our focus is on Hannah, who longed so desperately for a child, and showed a faith that had no limits in her request to God for her prayer to be answered. This is a story of complete faith in God, amidst much ridicule and heartache. This is also a story of God’s goodness and the great fulfillment of answered prayer. We see a life transformed through God’s beautiful gift of life.

As you read Hannah’s story of faith and fulfillment, take time to read the points and questions below to discover how God has answered prayer in your life.

Key Points in Hannah’s Transformation:
Childless and unhappy (1 Samuel 1: 1-8)
Hannah was not able to bear a son for Elkannah because she was barren. He was also married to Peninnah, who bore him several children. As years went by, Hannah’s agony grew. She had a home and her husband’s riches, but she wanted a son of her own. And while Peninnah provided heirs for Elkannah, it was Hannah that he truly loved. Penninah was cruel and spoke terrible things to Hannah, most likely because she was jealous of his affection. Through all the torment from Peninnah, Hannah remained gracious and in control. And even though God had not granted her a child, she still remained faithful to Him.

The Vow (1 Samuel 1: 9-19)
Hannah promises God that if He will give her a child, [raise her into the empire of motherhood] she will dedicate that child to Him. She is so passionate and consumed with this prayer that Eli the priest thinks she is drunk, because she did not speak her prayer out loud. Her lips were moving, but no sound was coming out. She was praying from her heart. Her whole demeanor was caught up in the urgency of her prayer. (Notice that even though she was “childless”, she was not “prayerless”.)

She convinces Eli that she is sober by pouring out her heart to him. Convinced of her sobriety, he adds his prayers to her, that God would grant her wish. She leaves that time of prayer with a content heart, believing in joy and confidence that her prayer would be answered.

Another thing to note is that, even though she had been tormented by Peninnah, she did not pray for Peninnah to suffer in any way. Instead, she prayed that the reason for her own pain would be removed from her.

Fulfillment of the Vow (1 Samuel 1:19-28, 2:1-10, 18-21)
Hannah made a promise in prayer, and she honored that promise. Once he was old enough, she took him back to the house of the Lord “there to abide forever.”

She visited him every year, bringing him a new cloak each time that she had lovingly made. Because of her honor and sacrifice, God blessed her with 5 more children (3 sons & 2 daughters).

Samuel grew up to be as godly as his mother. He became a man who lived a life of prayer and intercession as a prophet, and was given great power from God.

Things to Ponder:
Guard your tongues. One thoughtless, unkind word has the potential to cause others pain.
Has there been a time when jealousy caused you to act in a cruel way towards someone else? Has there been a time when someone treated you cruelly? How did you respond? Has there been a time when God didn’t give you what you wanted? Did you remain faithful and gracious?

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (James 3:9-10)

Is your tongue one of your greatest weapons?

Mothers have a huge impact on the character of a child. We shape and influence who they are by our own attitudes and behaviors.

Can you see how some of your behaviors and attitudes were shaped by your own mother? Can you see yourself in the behaviors and attitudes of your children?

Have you ever prayed with the urgency of Hannah? Have you ever had such a powerful prayer that you finished with such peace and assuredness, like Hannah?

How have you been blessed by honoring your word, keeping your promises to God and others?

Takeaway:
No matter what our source of pain is, we can be assured that we can take it to God. When we live life in complete obedience to and confidence in Him, He will heal our troubled hearts. Never give up hope!

Our Prayer:
Father God, hear our prayer to you today. Help us to have full trust and faith in you, despite our circumstances. Help us to pray fervently to you, trusting that you hear our prayers, and will answer in accordance with your will. Help us also to fulfill our promises and honor our word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.