Hannah's Prayer On Mother's Day

Hannah's Prayer
By Angie Ketcham

As I began to write this blog today, to help us remember what a blessing mothers are to this world, I couldn't help but think of the ones that grieve during this difficult time of the year:  Those that have tried so desperately to be a mother, those that have experienced a miscarriage, or those who have known the joy of being a mother, only to lose their child to illness or another reason.  In this time, I am reminded of Hannah.

And Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart exults in the Lord;

    my horn is exalted in the Lord.

My mouth derides my enemies,

    because I rejoice in your salvation.

2 

“There is none holy like the Lord:

    for there is none besides you;

    there is no rock like our God.

3 

Talk no more so very proudly,

    let not arrogance come from your mouth;

for the Lord is a God of knowledge,

    and by him actions are weighed.

4 

The bows of the mighty are broken,

    but the feeble bind on strength.

5 

Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,

    but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.

The barren has borne seven,

    but she who has many children is forlorn.

6 

The Lord kills and brings to life;

    he brings down to Sheol and raises up.

7 

The Lord makes poor and makes rich;

    he brings low and he exalts.

8 

He raises up the poor from the dust;

    he lifts the needy from the ash heap

to make them sit with princes

    and inherit a seat of honor.

For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,

    and on them he has set the world.

9 

“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,

    but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,

    for not by might shall a man prevail.

10 

The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;

    against them he will thunder in heaven.

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;

    he will give strength to his king

    and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

I Samuel 2:1-10

Just a chapter back from this prayer, Hannah has gone year after year to the house of the Lord, with one request from her lips: a child.  In the deepest of her deepest hearts she pours her soul out to the God of Israel, praying so fervently that Eli would see her and think she was drunk.  She made a promise to the Lord to dedicate her child to the Lord if he could just answer her prayer.  And He heard her cry.  His answer would be yes.

But then the real test came.  She had the son she wanted, but she had made a promise to give him to the Lord.  My heart aches as I think of that last trip to the temple.  How she must have carefully prepared his wardrobe with the special robe she made for him.  How she must have shed tears as she bravely fed him his last meal that morning before going into town.  The anxiety that she must have felt knowing that she would say goodbye before the day was done.  Could she do it?  Could she say goodbye to the child that suckled upon her breast just days before?  Could she bravely kiss him one last time as she turned to say goodbye?  And yet, God gave her the strength she needed in the moment.  She gave her prayer of praise even in the midst of her biggest test.  And God was with her.  And because of her ability to stand the test of time, God gave her the desires of her heart and blessed her with 3 sons and 2 daughters.

I don't know where you are on your journey as you celebrate this Mother's Day weekend.  Perhaps it's too hard to face the cards you have been dealt.  Maybe you're overwhelmed and feel guilty because you just want to run away from the chaos of the children you do have.  Maybe you've recently lost your own mother and you're still just hoping you can get through the holiday.  Wherever you're at, remember that God has not forgotten you.  He wants you to know that He will carry you.  He is for you.  You can stand in the difficult times and say, "There is none holy like the Lord."  Happy Mother's Day to every lady out there: mom, aunt, grandma, or friend!