I love the fact that we can experience both side of Hannah’s story. I am sure that many of us can identify with her story.
Can you believe the difference that we see in Hannah? From desperation, from a crushed hope to joy, to triumphant words of encouragement? Is this the same person we met in chapter 1?
I’m bursting with God-news!
I’m walking on air.
I’m laughing at my rivals.
I’m dancing my salvation.
You can say that we are talking about a different person, and to some degree we are. Hannah is changed, she is full of good news, excited about life and she has all the reasons for it. Her faith came through, God kept his promise, and now it is her time to do her part. She brings the child to the temple to serve for the rest of his life, but she takes time to proclaim what God has done.
Her thanksgiving prayer is indeed a beautiful example of thanksgiving, of proclaiming God’s greatness, but I think it goes even deeper than that. Her prayer comes from experience, from seeing God at work and recognizing the blessings in her life.
I pray that as we experience life on day to day we can recognize the hand of God working in our lives and be as excited about life just like Hannah was.
Be blessed
Bo
First Pres Joliet 
April 8, 2015 at 5:37 am
Hannah recognizes that what has happened to her is above her doing, that a higher power, God, has intervened. He has listened to her prayers over the years, and has answered those prayers. Hannah does exactly what we all need to do when something works out in our favor, and praise God for what he has provided. We tend to only pray when we need something, but less often to thank him when things are going well. Let us always remember to give thanks and praise.
April 8, 2015 at 7:09 am
Last year after one of Craig’s sermons, “Prayer is Rewarded”, I was looking up The Prayer of Examen and came across this quote from Meister Eckhart. “If the only prayer you say in your entire life is “Thank You,” that would suffice.” Every day we need to think about what we are thankful for and recognize what reasons we have to be grateful. If we focus on these things, we can center our minds and spirits on the goodness and generosity of God. “Praise be to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” Eph 1:3. (from marshill.org on The Prayer of Examen)
April 8, 2015 at 9:05 am
Compare Mary’s song, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), where Mary echoes the words of Hannah. Apparently, the same something came over both women in the process of birthing a baby boy.
April 8, 2015 at 9:36 am
Lord, thank you for all my blessings. Help me to serve others and not myself.