1Sam.1:9-20
The story of Hannah has inspired many women over the centuries to turn to the Lord in heartfelt prayer to turn the tide of their battles especially against the enemy called Barrenness. Israel had a covenant that guaranteed every man and woman and even cattle, the blessing of fruitfulness in childbearing. But here was a family of two wives married to one Elkanah and they were devoted Jews who always went to Shiloh to sacrifice to the Lord as part of their dedication and service. Married to the same man and worshiping the same Jehovah but with obviously different results;
1Sam. 1:2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
It was obvious that the challenge was with Hannah. Barrenness was winning the battle against her and this grieved her soul. To worsen matters, her mate was not a nice woman but one that flaunted her success in childbearing in Hannah’s face to spite and provoke her. It was a sad story for many years. She must have tried many medications to no avail.
1Sam. 1:6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
Then we see Hannah in the temple engaging a weapon that wields the greatest power: Prayer. She isolated herself and began to engage Jehovah and even entered a personal deal with God concerning the yet-to-be-conceived son. She was going to give him back to the Lord. Eli showed up and spiritually signed the deal on behalf of Jehovah. That was the turning point in her story. She took in against all odds, birthed and raised one of Israel’s front line national prophets. From the valley of sorrow, she ascended the mountain of joy via faith and prayer in and to a God that can be trusted.
1Sam. 1:12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD…
She continued praying. She didn’t stop praying any day.
She conceived by prayer.
She carried the pregnancy to term by prayer.
She delivered a bouncing baby boy by prayer.
She raised a prophet by prayer.
Prayer was her ecosystem and prayer was her lifestyle. It didn’t happen by accident. She was busy at her altar, on her knees, engaging the God of Israel. Today, the whole world knows about the story of Hannah and Samuel but Penninah has no record apart from the record of her bad character.
In our contemporary times, there are recorded cases of ordinary women who did extraordinary exploits in birthing and raising super-kids who turned the world, right side up. One of them was Susanna.
• Susanna Wesley
Christians in the twenty-first century continue to feel the influence of the Wesley brothers, but it was their mother, Susanna, who laid the groundwork for their faith. Historians attribute much of the Wesleys’ remarkable spiritual leadership to Susanna’s influence and prayers. She dedicated six hours a day, six days a week, to her children’s intellectual and spiritual upbringing. Surprisingly, Susanna made a conscious effort to spend one hour a week discussing spiritual matters with every child. John Wesley played a significant role in igniting an English revival movement that extended to America during the first part of the 1700s. An evangelical movement that would eventually give rise to the Methodist Church was started by his ministry. Charles Wesley, John’s younger brother, also left a lasting legacy for the church by penning hundreds of hymns, many of which are still sung in worship services today.
Are you a mother reading these lines today, what shall be the outcome of your opportunity to raise super-kids for Christ in this generation? Whatever your personal and family challenges are, you can turn them into stepping stones and make the heart of God happy by raising godly seeds. God bless you in Jesus name.
If you were blessed by this article, send us your thoughts in the comment section and we shall be glad to publish it.
I am blessed reading this article today. I have seen my act of irresponsibility as a mother in the spiritualaspect of their lives. I think I have done anything at all. I have only concentrated on their physical well-being. Can it start now, am I too late???