WHEN MOTHERS PRAY

WHEN MOTHERS PRAY by Abidan Paul Shah

History is replete with examples of the prayers of women, especially mothers. God delights in their prayers and wants to answer them. One such example is found in the Old Testament – the prayer of Hannah (1 Samuel 1). As you know she couldn’t have any children and she prayed before God earnestly and her prayers were answered.

How did she pray?

1. SHE PRAYED FROM THE HEART.

Verse 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish.

2. SHE PRAYED VERY SPECIFICALLY.

Verse 11 Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child…”

3. SHE PRAYED SACRIFICIALLY.

Verse 11 –If You “will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”

4. SHE PRAYED PERSEVERINGLY.

Verse 12 And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD…

Hannah kept praying even though the priest questioned her sincerity.

5. SHE PRAYED BELIEVINGLY.

Verse 17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” 18 And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF HANNAH’S PRAYER?

1. Her prayer was answered.

Verse 20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

2. She kept her word to the Lord.

Verse 24 Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her…27 For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.”

3. God used the little boy in a powerful way.

This is the Samuel who went up and down the length and breadth of Israel to unite the people. He is the one who anointed Saul as the first king and then replaced him with David – the true King through whom came Jesus.

This is what happens when women pray, especially mothers. Where is prayer in your life? Where is God in your life? Where is Jesus in your life?