Topical Bible: Blessing: Temporal Blessings, Prayer For: Hannah

◄ Blessing: Temporal Blessings, Prayer For: Hannah ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Hannah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is a profound example of prayer for temporal blessings, specifically the blessing of children. Her account is primarily found in the first book of Samuel, where her deep faith and fervent prayer are highlighted.

Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. Despite Elkanah's love for her, Hannah was barren, which was a source of great distress and social reproach in ancient Israelite culture. Her rival, Peninnah, who had children, would provoke her grievously to irritate her (1 Samuel 1:6). This situation drove Hannah to seek divine intervention.

In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the LORD at the tabernacle in Shiloh, where Eli the priest was serving. Her prayer was marked by earnestness and a vow: "O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head" (1 Samuel 1:11). This vow indicated her willingness to dedicate her child to the service of God, reflecting her deep faith and commitment.

Hannah's prayer was characterized by silent lips moving in prayer, which led Eli to initially mistake her for being drunk. Upon realizing her sincerity, Eli blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:17). This blessing from Eli, coupled with Hannah's faith, marked a turning point in her life.

The LORD remembered Hannah, and she conceived and bore a son, whom she named Samuel, meaning "heard of God," acknowledging that her prayer had been answered (1 Samuel 1:20). Hannah's experience underscores the belief in the power of prayer and God's responsiveness to the heartfelt petitions of His people.

Hannah's account is a testament to the importance of prayer in seeking temporal blessings. Her faith and dedication are further exemplified when she fulfills her vow by bringing Samuel to the house of the LORD in Shiloh, dedicating him to the LORD's service (1 Samuel 1:27-28). Her prayer of thanksgiving, recorded in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, is a profound expression of gratitude and recognition of God's sovereignty and faithfulness.

Hannah's narrative serves as an enduring example of how prayer can lead to the fulfillment of temporal needs and desires, aligning personal petitions with divine will. Her account encourages believers to approach God with sincerity and faith, trusting in His timing and provision.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 1:11
And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a man child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come on his head.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... deny that God is the author of all their blessings. ... Here we may refer to the prayer
of David ... had received special instruction to pray for a temporal blessing. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
... Let me want the venison, so I may have the blessing. ... Psalm 116:9). He that takes
a review of his blessings, looks upon ... A Christian is a temporal saviour. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the best things work for.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the ...
... By the blessing of God upon their labors, it ... him apart to that office by prayer and
imposition of ... than wish them all spiritual and temporal blessings in Christ ...
/.../chapter 4 from the close.htm

The Poor Man's Friend
... And, perhaps, at such seasons, too, temporal trouble may have ... But, we have not exhausted
the string of blessings. ... There is one other blessing which sums up all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the poor mans friend.htm

Of a Private Fast.
... Satan solicited; or to obtain some special blessing which he ... thee, and bestowed so
many sweet blessings in a ... in mercy to turn away his temporal judgments from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of a private fast.htm

Thanksgiving Versus Complaining
... always alike, whether it is on the temporal or the ... it, everything contains for us
a hidden blessing from God ... love has been lavished upon us in untold blessings. ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 15 thanksgiving versus complaining.htm

Carey's Family and Friends
... all the hopes of men hang for temporal supplies, they ... men, God will bless you and
make you a blessing. ... One of the greatest blessings which I am now anxious to ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter viii careys family and.htm

City of God
... Not Only for the Sake of Eternal Blessings, But Also in Connection with Temporal
Prosperity, Because ... Chapter 41.--Of the Blessing Which Jacob Promised in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

part i
... wish to ask of God in prayer any blessing for yourself ... necessary that our hearts
should burn during prayer with a desire for spiritual blessings, with love to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... Blessings, the, with which the Creator has filled this life ... of, did not abolish the
blessing of fecundity ... 701]189, etc.; our dependence for temporal good, [702 ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm