Urgent prayer for a son.

“O Lord of hosts, if you look with pity on the misery of your ­handmaid, if you remember me and do not forget me, if you give your handmaid a male child, I will give him to the Lord for as long as he lives; neither wine nor liquor shall he drink, and no razor shall ever touch his head.” (1 Samuel 1: 11).

Tuesday, 14 January 2020, in Ordinary Time.

We have for reflection today the great prayer of Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel. This is a powerful prayer by a woman of faith who appears to understand the mind of God. The Church uses frequently the hymn of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2: 1 - 8 in her Liturgy. What we learn from the prayer of Hannah:

#1 Humility: "Look with pity on the misery of your handmaid."
#2 Target petition: "Give your handmaid a male child."
#3 Quid pro quo: "If you give your handmaid a male child, I will give him to the Lord for as long as he lives."
#4 Pledges to train the boy in the ways of the Lord: "Neither wine nor liquor shall he drink, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

Not even a human being, sinful and selfish as we are will fail to notice such a prayer. The old priest Eli rocking in his armchair overhead the prayer and added his priestly blessing: “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” (1 Samuel 1: 7).

"It is the Lord who gives poverty and riches. He brings men low and raises them on high." (1 Samuel 2: 8).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com