“For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.”
-1 Samuel 1:27-28 New King James Version (NKJV)
This verse expresses Hannah’s gratitude to God for answering her prayer for a son. She acknowledges that the child, Samuel, was a direct result of God’s favor and granting her request.
Hannah’s Prayer
Hannah was a woman of prayer and praise. In the Old Testament times, barrenness was considered a big disgrace. Hannah’s situation was worsened by the fact that her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, was able to bear many sons and daughters.
Yet, Hannah waited on the Lord, held tight, and prayed fervently for a child. In time, God began to intervene on her behalf and blessed her with a son. Isn’t it heartening to know that God sees every single tear we shed in hopes of becoming a mother?
Facing Infertility
Now, we don’t know how long Hannah had to wait for her blessing. But, as women, we do know the pain and frustration she must have felt with every passing month. Today, there are so many online forums discussing infertility issues, where women discuss and dissect every pregnancy symptom, both real and imaginary!
Hannah could have just as easily worried herself to death by sharing her pain and suffering with every female relative and friend. But, instead of turning to someone or something, she turned to God in prayer. Every couple battling infertility can learn from Hannah’s prayer and example. Don’t run to the phone when your suffering becomes unbearable, but run to the throne of God.
Hannah’s Story
Hannah’s story follows a pattern we see with several women in the Bible—Sarah, Elizabeth, Rachel, and Rebekah—who couldn’t have children until God stepped in to help them. What makes Hannah’s story special is the promise she made. When she prayed desperately for a son, she told God that if he gave her one, she would give the boy back to serve God his whole life:
“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, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.’”
– 1 Samuel 1:11 New King James Version (NKJV)
When God answered Hannah’s prayer and Samuel was born, Hannah kept her word. She brought her young son to Eli the priest and left him at the temple to serve God, just as she had promised.
This story teaches us something important but sometimes hard to accept: the good things we get from God don’t really belong to us—they belong to God. Hannah got the son she desperately wanted, but she couldn’t keep him at home with her.
Her happiness came from knowing that Samuel was serving God and watching him grow up to be respected by both God and people (1 Samuel 2:26). We can find our greatest joy the same way—by seeing how the good things that come from our prayers make a positive difference in the world.
The lesson here is tricky but powerful. Hannah’s real joy didn’t come from getting to raise Samuel in her own house or having him close by. Instead, she found peace and happiness in watching him serve a bigger purpose. She was proud to see him growing up to be someone who honored God and helped others.
This challenges us to think differently about the blessings we receive when our prayers are answered. Instead of holding tight to these gifts and trying to control them, we need to be willing to let them serve God’s bigger plan.
Our deepest satisfaction comes not from keeping good things for ourselves, but from seeing how they can help and heal others in the world.
Hannah shows us that sometimes the greatest act of faith is letting go of what we’ve prayed for so it can do even more good than we first imagined.
God’s Plan
The Bible says that God’s ways are different from ours and His thoughts are not the same as ours. It is God’s plan to bless us with godly offspring. Sometimes, He may choose us to be parents of children who are not biologically ours. But, the call remains the same: to raise children in an atmosphere of love, security, trust, and in knowledge of the abundant grace and love of Jesus Christ.
If you believe that God is calling you to adoption, pray for Him to guide you and lead you to the right professionals who can help you with your adoption needs and concerns. Just remember:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
– Jeremiah 29:11 New King James Version (NKJV)
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on June 22, 2011, and has since been updated.
Mardie Caldwell, C.O.A.P., is nationally recognized as an expert on open adoption. A Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P.), Caldwell is the founder of Lifetime Adoption Center, established in 1986. She has assisted in over 2,000 successful adoptions and was one of the first adoption professionals on the Internet.
Caldwell's life work is dedicated to educating and helping birth parents find the right adoptive parents for their child. She spreads the word about modern adoption through speaking appearances, webinars, online resources, and as a podcast show host.
She has written several award-winning books, including So I Was Thinking About Adoption, the first book of its kind. There are many reasons women choose adoption, and this short book is a comprehensive resource to make the best plan for you and your baby. Caldwell wrote So I Was Thinking About Adoption as a handy guide to the details of the adoption process.
Caldwell has made over 150 media appearances, including ABC News, CBS News, Larry King Live, CNN Headline News, NBC's The Today Show, CNN's The Campbell Brown Show, NBC News, KGO Newstalk Radio, CNN's Black in America II, MSNBC, Fox, PBS, BBC, and Dr. Laura.
