SPCK - Hannah's Prayer

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Hannah's Prayer

Hannah prayed and said,
‘My heart exults in the Lord;
my strength is exalted in my God.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in my victory.

‘There is no Holy One like the Lord,
   no one besides you;
   there is no Rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
   let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
   and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
   but the feeble gird on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
   but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven,
   but she who has many children is forlorn.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
   he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
   he brings low, he also exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
   he lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes
   and inherit a seat of honour.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
   and on them he has set the world.

‘He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
   but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;
   for not by might does one prevail.
The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered;
   the Most High will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
   he will give strength to his king,
   and exalt the power of his anointed.'

1 Samuel 2

So, after years of waiting, Hannah has a son.
The son who is named Samuel
The son she gives to the worship centre at Shiloh
To be brought up within God's special space.
A space where it transpires only a child can hear God speaking.
This is the God who stands with the poor
And hears the prayer of a broken hearted woman.
Who gives her a child
And her response is to entrust the child back to God.
Hannah trusts God to care for her firstborn child.
So may mothers around the world trust their children to God and themselves
Listening for the child to listen to God
And so speak God's love to this waiting world.
May I too hear the child within me, and without,
As she speaks the word of God to the waiting adult.

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