Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Prayer of Thanksgiving and Praise
1 Samuel 2 : 1-10
 

Abraham Mammen
 Long Island MTC, NY

“My heart rejoices in the Lord; In the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.”

Hannah is still apparently at the tent of God with Eli and Elkanah her husband. Hannah is about to leave her only son with Eli the High Priest, and is certainly going through a lot of emotions, so what she does is pray --- and it is a magnificent prayer. And what she prays about is interesting. She is concerned about her only son; she may be concerned about having other children, but her prayer deals with the character and power of God.
    Although the saying is crony- I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know who holds my future. One might expect some prophesy with regard to Samuel or words respecting his future. But that is not what Hannah prayed, her psalm of praise is Jehovah, the God of Israel and His greatness.
Hannah does not remind God of her vow or how she has kept her vow or what she expects in return. Instead, she recognizes God’s perfect character and His omnipotence.
    In the New Testament in Luke 1: 46-55, Mary prays a magnificent prayer, Mary who is carrying baby Jesus in her womb and as she is visiting Elizabeth her relative who is also carrying John the Baptist. The prayer of Hannah can be called the magnificat of the Old Testament. Hannah speaks prophetically at a time when Israel is about to enter an important period in history with the establishment of kingship through her son Samuel. On the other hand after the birth of John the Baptist, his father Zachariah was filled with Holy Spirit and prophecy of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    Verse 10 ends with a promise from God to shatter His enemies and exalt His own. At the end we have a promise concerning His king and His anointed, given in a time of Israel’s history where there was no king.
    Paul says in Philippians 4:6 “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.

PRAYER

Gracious Lord Our Heavenly Father, How wonderful is Your provision for us Your children. We celebrate Your love, mercy and goodness with thankful hearts and joyful lives. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Let’s exalt the giver of everything rather than the gift . 

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