Faith Grows in Hard Places — Even for Kids
Help kids see that God works through pain and suffering in their and other people’s lives.
Hannah’s heartfelt prayer for a child inspires us today to be prayer warriors.
God chose the Israelites (Jews) to demonstrate his presence and power in the world. And, like He does for us, God gave them freedom to choose how they would respond to his instructions. Unfortunately, it did not take long for the nation of Israel to depart from God’s law and adopt cultural norms, such as polygamy, from surrounding nations.
Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah, a Jewish man living in Ramah, near Jerusalem. Tension and jealousy between the women led to a family burdened with conflict and heartache. But God’s grace was evident in the life of Hannah. Her story reminds us we can call out to God in prayer, regardless of our situation.
There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph in the hill country of Ephraim. Elkanah descended from a line that included Jeroham, Elihu, Tohu, and Zuph, all from Ephraim. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. (1 Samuel 1:1-2)
Every year, Elkanah gathered his family and journeyed to Shiloh for the annual sacrifice. He and Peninnah were in good spirits, but Hannah’s heart broke with each step. Peninnah had given Elkanah children, while Hannah remained barren. Other women in her family averted their eyes at her disgrace.
“Hannah, don’t lag behind,” Peninnah said with an arrogant look on her face. She seemed to enjoy taunting Hannah at every turn.
“We have to keep up with my children.”
Hannah felt as if a knife were twisting into her soul. Instead of arriving at the temple with praise on her lips, pain covered Hannah’s face. A range of emotions overwhelmed her as she thought about her failure to give Elkanah a child. Despair. Fear. Confusion. Life had not unfolded the way she had dreamed. Would God ever answer her desperate cries? Hannah wondered.
When they arrived, the temple was bustling with activity and Hannah found it easy to slip away from the family. Who would miss her? Finding a solitary place, she fell to her knees, anguished over her situation. Looking up, she raised her hands to her invisible God, hoping he would hear her cry.
And she made this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut.” (1 Samuel 1:11)
When Hannah rose from her knees, she returned to her family with newfound peace. Though her pain remained, God’s presence gave her strength.
Several years later, Elkanah once again led his family to Shiloh. This time, Hannah returned to the temple with her small child in tow. God had blessed Hannah with a son.
She named him Samuel saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:20)
At this holy place, where Hannah had knelt years earlier, pouring out her devastated heart, she now knelt in joy. Hannah brought Samuel to the temple priest in great excitement.
“Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the LORD. I asked the LORD to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the LORD there. (1 Samuel 1:26-28)
The name Samuel sounds like the Hebrew word for ‘asked of God’ (Holman Christian Standard Bible notes). His name bore testimony to God’s graciousness in answering her prayer. As difficult as it must have been, Hannah kept her promise to return her son to God, putting him in the care of Eli, the temple priest, when he was still a child.
Hannah set an example of a devoted wife, mother, and woman of God. She acted as a prayer warrior and did not hide her heart’s desires from the Lord. Hannah understood God may not give her what she desired, but that did not stop her from praying.
And the LORD blessed Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. (1 Samuel 2:21)
Samuel became a great man of God and served faithfully as a judge and prophet for the people. Hannah’s heartfelt prayer had not been in vain. She undoubtedly continued to pray for her family and taught her children to pray to a generous God.
Then Hannah prayed, “My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me.” (1 Samuel 2:1)
Hannah, as we have learned, is a prayer warrior. A strong and courageous mother. We all want to become powerful prayer warriors for our children, like Hannah. Here are a few ideas for modeling a consistent prayer life and teaching our children to pray.
Prayer can happen anywhere. Even on the school run, we can ask, ‘How can I pray for you today?’ They may have encountered a challenge they’re not comfortable sharing with you, but when it is a prayer, and they know God will hear them, that can change their outlook.
Sometimes we need a prayer starter. One option is to use the alphabet. “Who do we know whose name begins with ‘A’? Let’s pray for them.” Sometimes they share about people and places we, as moms, are not familiar with. That’s okay; it’s about engaging our children and getting them to think outside the box when they pray.
It is important for children to see their mothers modeling prayer. Praying is what we need to do. When we have a challenge, let our children see us praying about it and through it. When we have a praise, let our children see us thanking God for how he provided for us.
Children sometimes need cues to remember to pray. Writing a one-word prayer focus on a rock can be a simple, effective reminder. Suggest they keep this rock in a visible place and when they have another prayer weighing on their heart, create another one. These rocks do not have to be fancy; they are a reminder to pray. While they do not have to be a work of art, compliment your child if they choose to be creative.
Another fun way to pray is to put prayers to a familiar tune. God accepts all prayers, the simplest to the most dramatic. Putting prayers to music can be fun and memorable for children. And who doesn’t still sing the ABC song in their head to remember what letter comes next in the alphabet? Simple children’s tunes like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” work great.
Here’s an example.
Dear Lord, Dear Lord, be with me [Twinkle, twinkle little star]
You are greater than I’ll ever be [How I wonder what you are]
I love you so much, I do [Up above the world so high]
Be with me the whole day through [Like a diamond in the sky]
Dear Lord, Dear Lord, be with me [Twinkle Twinkle little star]
You are greater than I’ll ever be [How I wonder what you are]
If our children can write, encourage them to write down their prayers. A special prayer journal is a wonderful keepsake. It’s a great habit to develop. Encourage children to keep a prayer journal as a way to see when and how God has answered prayers. It is also important to remind our children to look for answers in unexpected ways, or to realize sometimes we simply have to trust and wait.
Hannah showed us clearly what can happen if we pray for our children. Even if it is only a quick prayer every day, continue to pray. Ask God to make them aware of His constant presence. Be a prayer warrior for your children; dedicate them to the Lord.