Hannah’s Praise To The Lord

Hannah prayed:

“My heart rejoices in the LORD!

The LORD has made me strong.

Now I have an answer for my enemies;

I rejoice because you rescued me.

No one is holy like the LORD!

There is no one besides you;

there is no Rock like our God.”

1 Samuel 2:1-2

During this Advent season you will probably hear a reading of Mary’s prayer, in which she thanks and praises God for allowing her to bear Jesus, God’s Son (Luke 1:46-55). Her ancestor Hannah had the same feelings of gratitude towards God and shared the same prayer. Both of them were linked across the centuries as women who gave birth to special babies—the prophet Samuel to infertile Hannah, and Jesus to the virgin Mary. Hannah’s prayer rings with amazement over God’s miraculous intervention in her life.

In our prayers, we should imitate Hannah’s example by rejoicing in the Lord. Our praise for God’s work in our lives is the best testimony to others. Find ways this week to tell others how God has answered your prayers.

• O Lord, you have rescued me! My heart rejoices in you . . .