A mother's promise to the LORD (1 Samuel 1: 1-2, 11, 20)

Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim-zophim from the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives: the name of one was Hanna and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Hanna made a vow and said, "O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your maidservant and remember me, and not forget your maidservant, but will give your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head." It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked him of the LORD."

Hanna's request from God placed her in the center of God's will. In her day, a woman who was barren was a reproach. Now she is asking from God what only God can do which is to give this barren maidservant a son and she proclaimed the Nazarite oath which consecrates this boy for a holy offering to her God. God loves such requests and loves rewarding the faithful. Hanna was living in the period of the Judges as Israel has no king except the Almighty, but God will use his servant Samuel to usher in the period of the Kings in Israel.

Daily Prayer: Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within me, humble me like your maid servant Hannah. Let my prayers and petitions be for your sake and for the sake of your son so that I may receive answered prayer. In your holy name I pray Amen.