We all have it. Those lingering things we beg God for. Sometimes they quietly ache in the back of our mind when we pray and other times, we have the whole congregation begging God on our behalf. We’ve done the right things. We haven’t committed any of the big sins like murder or adultery. Don’t we deserve the blessing of God? Shouldn’t we be given what our good behavior has earned us?
Hannah knew our plight. She had begged God for years for a child while watching her husband conceive with another woman. Month after month, year after year, baby after baby, she waited and wondered and wept. She was a good woman and it seemed like a simple request. So year after year, she got on her knees in prayer.
“She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, ‘O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.’” – 1 Samuel 1:10-11, ESV
Hannah fell before her Lord and knew exactly what where she stood. She didn’t deserve a baby. None of us deserve our blessings, that’s why they are blessings. We have all fallen short and stand before God desperately lost. Over and over again, we fall short. Assuming the best in ourselves and seeing bad parents, those who mismanage their abundance of money, and those who wife who doesn’t treat her husband as wonderfully as we would.
Nothing that comes our way is based on our merit. As my husband reminds me regularly, Ecclesiastes tells us that it rains on the good and the bad. God blesses all of us more than we deserve, not because we deserve it, but because in His mercy, He lavishes us with much more than we deserve.
God blesses all of us more than we deserve, not because we deserve it, but because in His mercy, He lavishes us with much more than we deserve. Click To TweetBut it ultimately all His.
When Hannah prayed, she realized that nothing God would give her would be her own to hold. Whatever He gave her was not her just payment, but a free gift for her to hold with open hands.
When we are praying, when we are living, we need to remember that what we’ve been given is a gift from God. It is not to hoard, but to bless others. When we pray, our focus should not be on selfish desires but on blessing the greater Church. Be it a child, a spouse, a raise, or healing, the glory of God and the growth of His Kingdom should be at the forefront of our mind.
God has opened my eyes to the generosity of His Church in many ways. When I was in Hawaii, friends loaned me their cars and their homes. No matter what, I have always known that I would be cared for by the Church. Because the people surrounding me always viewed their blessings as Hannah did, with open hands.
They knew that their cars, homes, money, and time was not their own.
When Hannah prayed, she realized that nothing God would give her would be her own to hold. Whatever He gave her was not her just payment, but a free gift for her to hold with open hands. Click To TweetExcessive generosity was displayed by Hannah in the life of her child. When the Lord blessed her, she fulfilled her promise. After beginning her son, Samuel’s, life in the ways of the Lord, she took him to the Temple to be raised by the priests. The Lord blessed her and with open hands, she held her son, offering him back to God.
She prayed boldly and offered boldly. And her little prayer in Samuel is an example for us all to look to when we are begging God to hear our prayers.
But no matter what God answers, we need to open our lives up for the growth of His kingdom and the healthy of His Church, rain or shine. For some, that looks like sharing our stories with the Church and reminding others that faithfulness to God isn’t dependent on everything going our way. For others, that might look like sharing faithfully the gifts God has sent our way.
When we are on our knees, when we are asking God why, we need to remember why He does bless us. We need to take inventory of our lives and to question how we are stewarding the blessings we have already been given. And we need to remember what God has called us to do with the blessings He sends our way.
If you liked this, you might also enjoy:
Reclaiming Womanhood and Motherhood in the Midst of Infertility
No Answer: Waiting for an Unanswered Prayer
Disciplines of the Faith: 5 Tools to Deepen Your Prayer Life
praying can come easy for may people but letting go and trusting God to do his part is usually where the secret lies. thanks for sharing.
This was so good to read as I am focusing more on my relationship with God lately! Thanks for a great post that was much needed today!
What a blessing to have experienced such a generous church! My family has been blessed with a generous church body as well and it just makes us praise Jesus for his amazing goodness!
Was discussion this topic with friends this week. We are stewards over the things God has blessed us with—they are not our own and are meant to be shared with others. Hannah is the perfect example of consecrating all she had to the Lord. Beautiful reminder for us to become more like Hannah!
This is beautiful Bailey!!! I loved the entire thing and was so convicted but this thought got straight to my heart. “When we pray, our focus should not be on selfish desires but on blessing the greater Church. Be it a child, a spouse, a raise, or healing, the glory of God and the growth of His Kingdom should be at the forefront of our mind.” Thank you for the reminder to be focused on God’s glory and the good of His people — in this way we reflect His heart!
This reminds me of something my best friend and I were talking about yesterday. We were discussing prayer and how to explain to people that no matter what God does in answer to our prayers, He is still good and knows much better than we do. That’s not always easy to remember, but it’s the truest answer.
Encouraging post. I am currently dealing with issues with my daughter who just turned 17 yrs of age. She left the house today with her boyfriend that she’s known for 2 months. She totally flipped and don’t recognize who she is by doing this. She dropped her college courses and I’m not sure if she will continue going to high school. I’ve been in distress and suffering for her doing this. I feel like the world is coming down on me. This post is reminding me of who to put my focus on. She is a gift to me from God and I am turning my Focus on Gods blessings and his grace and mercy for us. I trust that God will delivery us from this mess and bring something good out of this situation. Requesting Prayers for my daughter .
Oh Linda, covering you and your precious daughter tonight. He sees and He knows.
If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend the book Seasons of Waiting by Betsey Childs Howard. It goes through several types of waiting and longing we experience. One of those longings is for a prodigal child. God is working even now in the midst of this.
I love the story of Hannah! There is so much we can learn from her. I agree that God does answer all our prayer, the hard part is waiting for His will and knowing that we may not get what we pray for but that God has the better plan.
Well said. Thank you for the reminder of the other side of making requests in prayer…..our side.
I am at this place right now. Thanks for sharing, it was deeply meaningful.
I know the important take away from this post is trusting in God, however, I AM OBSESSED WITH YOUR MUG! “Jesus, Meet Me Here” is giving me all types of feels! Currently going to look for one so I can find my inner peace a little bit better 🙂
Isn’t it the best?!?! I am totally in love with it (she writes as she takes another sip from said mug).
I got it from The Daily Grace Co. Unfortunately, they are no longer selling that specific one but they have so many wonderful ones you can check out via my affiliate link here: https://www.thedailygraceco.com?rfsn=771263.bd8de2
Enjoyed this! Remembering his blessings As we pray is so important and shifts our focus from “why me” to “thank you!” Thanks for sharing!!
It can be so hard to let go and just trust that God’s will for us is best when we so desperately want something. And that if it’s His will, we’ll get it in His time frame. This is a great reminder of what we need to do.
I really enjoyed this post. Thank u so much for sharing!!
I’ve read this twice!! I love this!! I think I just changed my entire business! Thank you!
Sabrina, I’m so glad it was an encouragement to you! Thank you for sharing.
Well written, thank you for sharing this with us. I have loved the Lord for 41 yrs and there are always new things to learn in His word! His mercies are new every morning and great is His faithfulness.
Every. Single. Morning. He is faithful, Alice.
Am going to try this method
<3
Such a beautiful, well timed message!
Thank you, Cristen.
The message here was great, but I suggest proofreading your work before posting. There were certain grammatical errors that made it difficult to understand what you were trying to say, and therefore it distracted from the whole piece. Keep trying, though; I think with a little more practice this could be a good platform for you to spread God’s Word.
Sorry about that, Natalie. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
This is a beautiful expression of how one is to live! I am so grateful to have come across this. It truly blesses and challenges me in entirety! Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you, Jaala <3 I'm so glad it's an encouragement to you.
There have been a few times I have cried my eyes out while praying and other times mostly very calm and sincere. Always remember to give thanks for what you have before start asking for something. On his time line not ours, open that conversation doorway everyday.
It brings a whole new gravity to the situation when we can relate with the Bible stories on such an intensely personal level. Thank you for sharing.
What a great reminder of the Lord and His sovereignty. He truly does bless us with so many good gifts, and children are one of the best gifts. 🙂
He is good, in every situation.
This is something I’ve been focusing on lately. I’ve been trying to be more thankful for the things God has given me. I’ve found it really makes a difference!
It makes a huge difference!
Thanks for sharing this! Hannah is such a great example of faith through her sadness. I know that pain of longing for a child and not receiving one. It’s hard and at times I’m ashamed to say my faith wore thin. But He gives us grace. I’m so thankful for that.
Hannah is one of the stories I’ve clung to during the pain of infertility. Her faithfulnesses amazes me.
God knows what we need even before we ask Him, yet He wants us to ask anyway. Our blessings come through His abundant grace. I’m thankful for that.
Isn’t it wonderful to serve such a great God?
I’ve been working my way through Samuel so this post was perfectly timed. 😉 I love Hannah’s faithfulness and am in awe of her long awaited child right back to God. I think we can do that with our own children (in a sense) and give our fears and worries about them to Him. So much easier said than done! Loved this post!
Easier said than done for sure but such an important reminder to surrender!
Some times I find it easy to pray but hard to give it to God. This is an amazing reminder. We need to not only pray but give it completely to God and trust that what happens is in His hands.
Me too. It’s such a struggle to surrender control but so important that we remind ourselves that He is trustworthy.
I love how Hannah was able to trust God completely! That’s not always easy to do, but Hannah’s faith is an inspiration.
I do too! Such an inspiration!
Oh, my goodness, I needed this today more than you know. My prayer life has been lacking and I’ve been feeling frustrated with myself over it.
I’m so glad! I love how God speaks to us – even through strangers on the internet!
This is beautiful and blessed my soul tremendously, hallelujah!!!!! Right on verge of breaking and wondering why I’m faced with so much hardship, because I’m a good woman right, but in my selfishness I come across this through Pinterest, I’m not worthy of nothing God has given me but yet He does! Thank you Lord for Your perfect Grace! I’m adopting the stance and prayer of Hannah
It’s a constant battle for me, Chermaine! May we both be more like Hannah! I’m so glad this was an encouragement to you. God is good even when we struggle to see it.
Always ask if it be his will not ours. Wait patiently. Takes time doesn’t happen overnight or even within a month. But we will see what Heavenly Father wants for us.
I love the story of Hannah. God hears us. He knows our pain and he answers in His time. Samuel was the blessing of waiting.
Bailey, thanks for much for this! I’ve had a difficult couple of months and I think the main reason is due to be not fully letting things go and giving them to the Lord. I need to pray more specific prayers and fully give things over to Him. Thank you!