Prayer for Our Desires: Hannah

“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2)

Hannah’s Dilemma—Her context

• Israel, A Nation in Turmoil—barrenness of heart
• Hannah, A Woman in Trial—barrenness of child (I Samuel 1:10-11, 15-16)

Hannah’s Desire

• Bold in Her Request (1 Samuel 1:10-20)
  • She is Personal (vs. 11)
  • She is Passionate (vs. 15-16)
  • She is Persistent (vs. 12)
  • She is Open-handed (vs. 11)
• Humble in Her Response (2 Samuel 2:1-10)
  • God is Powerful (vs. 1)
  • God is Unique (vs. 2)
  • God is Compassionate (vs. 5)
  • God is Active (vss. 6-8)
  • God is Sufficient (vss. 8-10)

1. When you think of the word, desire, what comes to mind? Is desire a valid for a Christ follower?
2. Hannah lived during a challenging time in Israel’s history. There was much rebellion on the part of Israel down through the ages of the judges. Besides Hannah’s barrenness in the story, Israel had a spiritual barrenness. Do you see spiritual barrenness in our own nation’s context presently?
3. Hannah’s desire for a child comes through strongly in 1 Samuel 1. Her desire comes out of her desperate situation. Was her desire legitimate?
4. Elkanah, her husband, feels badly for his beloved Hannah. What does his statement in 1 Sam. 1:8 show about Elkanah’s love for his wife?
5. Hannah made a vow to God in 1 Samuel 1:11. Does this show faith or do you feel Hannah is bargaining with God out of her desperate hope for a son? Is she a woman with small faith?
6. She makes the statement, “If you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant…” Is Hannah really worried about God forgetting her? What does it mean for God to “remember” Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:11 and 19?
7. Samuel’s name means “God has heard” (1:20). Names are very personal and mean something. Have you ever thanked the Lord for your name? If not, take some time right now to thank Him for knowing your name and having a place in His heart for you – unique and specially designed.
8. After the birth of Samuel, Hannah launches into a prayer of praise (2:1-10) magnifying her God. In 2 Samuel 2:1 she speaks of “delighting in (God’s) deliverance.” When was the last time that you took time to delight in God’s faithful response to your need or desire? How did you express that delight?
9. Her prayer highlights a number of the character attributes of God. Several are mentioned in the weekend sermon—including God’s Uniqueness, Power, Sufficiency, Activity, and Compassion. Do you see other attributes in 1 Samuel 2:1-10?
10. God gave Hannah the desire of her heart—a son. What would you think if He had chosen to NOT to give her a son? Would her response have been the same? Would any of His attributes have changed?
11. What is your desire today? Does it feel to be impossible? How can you express that heart’s desire to God?
12. Besides Hannah’s desire for a son, she also desired others to know the One who delights in His creation and us, His children (1 Samuel 2:1-10). Take time to thank God for His Father’s heart for us on this Father’s Day weekend. God’s desire is for us to worship Him.