1. HANNAH, A PRAYING MOTHER I SAMUEL 1:9-11

2. “A mother in her office holds the key to the soul” “A child without godly parents is underprivileged” “No man is poor who has had a godly mother.” All these statements are true and they certainly apply to Hannah. She is the personification of ideal motherhood in the Old Testament. She had a unique relationship with God. She poured out her heart to God in prayer. From her life and experiences we can gain many great lessons.

3. Hannah Was A Religious Woman She annually went to Shiloh. Women were not required to go but only the men. She showed her religious character by going when not required. She was a praying woman. Every child needs to see their mother and father pray on a regular basis. They are learning from you. She prayed silently. J. Bunyan: “When thou prayest, rather let thy heart be without words than thy words without heart.” “Doubt not that God who sits on high, thy secret prayer can hear.”

4. She Dedicated Her Son To God She realized her son was a gift from God. Psalms 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is his reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate. Proverbs 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Hannah gave her son to do what she could not. She Was Happy In Her Religion Her despair brought her closer to God. Notice I Samuel 2:1 A mother can have a great influence on her children.

5. Lessons From Hannah Her despair brought her a blessing. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Long years of meekly endured trials may be the divine training for a higher spiritual end. James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

6. The power of fervent prayer. James 5:16 The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. The importance of silent prayer. Matthew 6:5-6 And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

7. God does hear and answer His children. I John 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. If we truly “pray without ceasing” then some of our prayers will be silent. Silent prayer eliminates any possibility of praying just to be seen and heard by men. Her example of keeping the vow she made unto God. Ecclesiastes 5:4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed. When we become a Christian we make a vow to God.

8. The example of a mother’s consecration of her child to God. Today, we desperately need Christian parents to encourage their children to serve the Lord. PreachersEldersDeaconsMissionaries Bible Class TeachersFaithful Christians Proverbs 22:16 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. The joy of true religion. True religion makes a soul happy in their relationship to God. Who will be the leaders of the Church of tomorrow? CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE HAPPY!

9. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! In Matthew 5 we are told that true happiness comes from having a godly attitude. Philippians 3:1-3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, Proverbs 16:20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

10. She gave God her most precious possession. Philippians 3:7-9 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Hannah showed her love for God by keeping her vow and giving Samuel to the Lord’s service.

11. Are You Willing To Give-up What Is Precious To You In Order To Gain Christ? Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

12. Given by David Hamlin on May 10, 2010 am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.orgwww.hollisterchurchofchrist.org