Death Prayer: 2. Hannah's Death Prayer

Read 1 Samuel 1

Hannah’s death prayer is said in verse 11 of chapter 1,

"Then she made a vow and said, ‘O Lord of Hosts, if you will indeed look on the afflictions of your maidservant and remember me, and not forget your maidservant, but will give your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head."

Hannah’s hearts desire is for a child, yet the Lord had a different plan. He knew Hannah would give birth to a son and he would be called Samuel, the Lord also knew what a great prophet Samuel would be and the impact he would have on Israel therefore the Lord needed him to be nurtured in the right place. So it was not until Hannah was prepared to let her son go once he was born to serve in the temple all his life that she would bear a child. God needed Hannah to surrender her hopes and dreams for a son and surrender the child to God. Hannah’s death prayer was so significant to the shaping of the nation of Israel and even King David was anointed as King due to Samuel’s open heart before the Lord.

For Hannah though it was not the end, she gave Samuel away to the Lord, as she had promised but God was faithful and she bore other children afterwards.

Some things we struggle to give to God, we want to stay in control because of fear of what may happen. But it is only as we surrender ALL our lives to God that He will truly bless us. If you have things in your life that you are afraid to give to God, then trust Him as Hannah did and pray a death prayer and God will not withhold any good thing for your life. Though it may be painful at times He will be Faithful.

Sara Jukes

2004-12-06