3 posts tagged “answered prayer”

[34]         

Read I Samuel 1:1–28

            "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD."  … The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up.      1 Samuel 1:27–28; 1 Samuel 3:19a NIV

* * *

            Samuel’s birth was an answer to Hannah’s fervent prayer. She had pleaded with the Lord, “If you will only look upon your servant's misery–and give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life.” When she brought him to Eli the priest, she said, “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD."(1:11, 27–28)

          Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. Hannah surely prayed for Samuel all the days of her life and God blessed her with more children.             

          Even though Samuel grew up among Eli’s wicked sons, he became a faithful judge and prophet of God.  Samuel would go on to lead Israel through the transition from judges to kings, and become King Saul’s spiritual advisor – all this in response to God’s plan and a mother’s prayers.

* * *

             Lord, help us to be faithful to pray daily for our children and grandchildren.  Use them for your glory and purpose on this earth, and give us the wisdom we need to train them to follow You–even in a wicked culture.

* * *

            The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."    1 Samuel 3:10 NIV

Read Genesis 24

When Ron and I were first married, He was still a full time student. Two weeks before our wedding we were apartment hunting near Cal State Fullerton. Our budget was very limited, so all the apartments we looked at were depressingly run down or more than we could afford. We stopped for lunch and decided we had better pray about finding the right place to live. After lunch we went to a market for a paper, and as we sat in our car looking at the rental section, a man walked up to our car and asked us if we were looking for an apartment. We followed him to a beautifully landscaped apartment building, newly painted, quiet, two bedrooms, one mile from the college and just the amount we could afford to pay. Over the next month, God directly and speedily answered our prayers for various financial needs. In the years to come we would learn about waiting on the Lord for answers - but I think when we were starting out, He just wanted to point us in the right direction.