Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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A Mother’s Prayer and Child’s purpose

Bible Reading: 1st Samuel 1:9-18

Key Verse:O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s ministry and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life”

DEVOTION

In Samuel 1:9-18, the main focus is on Hannah’s heartfelt prayer to God, where she express her deep longing for a child and makes a vow to dedicate her future son to the Lord if He grants her wish, Hannah goes to tabernacle in Shiloh to pour out her heart to God in prayer. Hannah had a personal relationship with God and trusted in his plan. Hannah demonstrated her faith through obedience, even when it meant making a personal sacrifice. She dedicated her unborn son to God and promised to dedicate him to the Lord for his entire life. Hannah called herself “God’s servant” three times in her prayer.
               A praying mother is a pillar of strength and support to her family, a beacon of light in a world of darkness. Her prayers can shape destinies, bring about miracles and create a lasting legacy of love, faith and devotion.    What we learned from Hannah, Give everything to God – just like Hannah did, she surrendered everything to God. Hannah’s story teaches us that we should pray, make vows, commit our ways to God and believe in his promises. She prayed with her heart, poured out her soul and believed in God’s power to answer her prayer. When we honor God, He honors us. Hannah’s story is a powerful one of strength, courage, persistent prayer and unwavering commitment to seeking God’s face. 
            According to Hannah’s prayer, the child’s purpose is to be dedicated entirely to the Lord. Serving him for the entirely of his life Hannah vowed to give her son back to God if he granted her one, signifying that child would be used for God’s service, not just her own personal fulfillment. This dedication symbolized Hannah’s deep faith and gratitude to God and the child, named Samuel would become a significant prophet in the Israelite tradition. In Hannah we see an ideal mother imparts the moral values to the next generation. She not only feeds her son but also imparts her love, prayer and helps him to know God’s expectation about him. Women, as mothers, have a special role in shaping the next generation. 

  PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of Hannah, who trusted you fully even in her deepest struggles. May we learn to pour out our hearts to you with the same faith, knowing that you hear our prayers and will answer according to your perfect will. Help us to prepare our children to be useful to the community and to be partakers in the mission of the Kingdom of God.  Amen

Thought of the day

“True comfort comes not from receiving what we ask for but from resting in God’s faithful presence”.  Recognizing that God is the ultimate source of life and can answer our prayer.

    Mariam John
    Epiphany Mar Thoma Church, NY

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