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God Answered Hannah's Prayer

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(I Samuel 1:20)

So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son.

She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."

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If you believe in Jesus, you have the special privilege of praying to God.

Today, I am going to introduce you to one person, who got an answer from God after praying sincerely.

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There was a man named Elkanah.

He had two wives.

One was Peninnah and the other was Hannah.

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Peninnah had several children but Hannah did not have any children.

So Hannah was always sad.

During their time, having no children was the biggest shame of a woman.

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Once a year, Elkanah's family went to Shiloh to offer sacrifices to God.

When offering sacrifices, Hannah was given a large amount of sacrifices by Elkanah. Hannah did not have any children but Elkanah loved Hannah more than Peninnah.

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But when they went there, Peninnah always picked on Hannah.

Peninnah teased Hannah for having no child.

Hannah was so hurt by Peninnah that she cried and did not eat. This repeated every year.

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With a heart filled with sadness, Hannah went to the temple to pray.

Near to the door of the temple, Eli, the high priest of that time, was sitting.

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Hannah was very sad so she cried out loudly and prayed to God.

Hannah promised one thing to God. She prayed like this.

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Hannah prayed and promised to God that she would offer her son to live as the servant of God. "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

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Hannah prayed with all of her strength and heart.

Eli saw Hannah shaking very hard, so Eli thought she was drunk.

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Eli, the high priest scolded Hannah.

"How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."

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Hannah told Eli, the high priest,
"Not so, my lord. I have not been drinking wine or beer. I was pouring out my heart to God.
 I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."

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Upon hearing that, Eli said,

"Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him."

Eli blessed Hannah.

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After praying to God, Hannah believed that God was going to answer her prayer.

Hannah returned to her family and ate some food.

Then, Hannah was no longer sad.

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God answered to the sincere prayer of Hannah.

After she got back home, Hannah soon became pregnant.

Then, she had a son, whom she had wanted so dearly.

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Hannah named her child, Samuel. The meaning of Samuel is 'Because I asked the LORD for him.' Hannah prayed to God about something she could not do by her own strength. And God answered her prayer.

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God answered Hannah's prayer. God also answers our prayers. Have faith like Hannah and pray sincerely. God will answer to the prayers of you, the children of God. I hope you will become faithful children who make it a good habit of praying to God about all the big and little things in your lives.