Hannah’s Prayer And Vow

He realised that being a devoted worshipper of God does not necessarily exempt one from earthly challenges. Our challenges should not hinder us from serving the Lord with gladness. We live for and do worship God not just for temporary blessings we expect of Him, but because it is our duty to do so.

This is the purpose of our creation and redemption (Exodus 8:1; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11). We must not make our problems the central focus of our relationship with God. It is important to continue to serve the Lord for who He is, and determine to worship Him no matter how great the challenges we face.

Question3: What steps should believers take when they are confronted with life’s challenges? Hannah continued in her devotion to God and took her burden to Him in prayer. She did not allow her physical problem to weaken her prayer life. In fact, it was the challenge that propelled her to pray. She withdrew from the crowd into a place of personal prayer. Whereas others could have turned to some prayer charlatans or occult alternatives, Hannah decided to go to God. Her action revealed she had faith in God as she did not give in to self-pity, discouragement or resentment.

The delay in conception sparked holy desperation in prayer for divine intervention. Believers should learn to take their problems to God rather than give up or seek help from man. The Scripture affirms that it is vain to rely on men (Psalm 60:11; 121:1,2; 146:3; Jeremiah 3:23). From Hannah’s prayer, we see qualities of effective praying. Though voiceless, it was genuine, fervent and right on target. First, it was sincere, straight from the heart, not rote or offered with feigned words. Second, it was simple. Like Samson’s prayer or the thief on the cross, Hannah prayed to God “remember me” (1 Samuel 1:11; Judges 16:28; Luke 23:42). Third, it was specific. Her request was not vague but definite. She asked for a male child for a definite purpose. Fourth, the prayer was selfless. She did not ask for a child just for the sake of it or merely to level up with her rival, but a child that would fill the gap in God’s house. She was not contemplating a child she would keep in her 19 custody and brag over, or simply one that would bury her when she died (she knew Nazarites do not bury or go near the dead), but a Nazarite that would serve God all the days of his life. Fifth, Hannah’s prayer was scriptural. What she asked agreed with the word of God. Sixth, her request was spiritual in focus. Seventh,the prayer was made with steadfast perseverance.

She continued praying until she had assurance of answer (1 Samuel 1:12; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18). If there is any reproductive, financial, domestic, spiritual or professional barrenness in our lives, we can look up to God and pray earnestly to Him. He will answer and bring fruitfulness.

God does not answer all prayers. Many people pray but they do not receive answers because their prayers are superficial, speculative, shallow, self-centered and self- conscious, sectarian, and sin-tainted.  Prayers that are offered with no passion, earnestness, sense of dependency and importunity can rarely change difficult situations. No matter how vocal, prayers that are not rooted in the Scripture or backed up with faith, righteousness and sincerity before God cannot be effective. People who pray with doubt in their hearts should not expect to receive anything from God (James 1:6-8).

Question 4:   What is the place of vows in New dispensation? Hannah manifested her desperation in prayer through her loss of appetite, weeping and the vow she made to God. When we are earnest in prayer, it manifests in several ways. Sometimes we may lose sleep and keep vigil all night in prayer. There may be groaning, loud crying, assuming unusual postures in prayer, fasting and abstinence from other legitimate pleasures (1 Kings 18:42- 44; Hebrews 5:7; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 7:5). This is often so because when there is a real burden in the heart, the physical needs of the body become secondary and are pushed to the background.

In the Old Testament dispensation, it was customary for people to make vows to God as part of their devotion in prayer. The first recorded vow in the Scripture 20 was that of Jacob (Genesis 28:20; 31:13). Such vows were usually in the form of promises to do something which they felt would please God in exchange for a benefit they desired from Him. It was not considered a bargain but a solemn promise to do something extra for God because of a feeling of desperation before Him.

In the case of Hannah, she requested for a male child and vowed that he would be a perpetual Nazarite unto God. Samson and John the Baptist were other Nazarites for life in the Bible. There are specific regulations concerning vows in the Old Testament (Leviticus 27:1-34; Numbers 6:1-27; 30:1-16; Psalm 76:11; Ecclesiastes 5:4,5; Malachi 1:14). For Hannah’s vow to stand, her husband had to uphold it; otherwise, it would be invalid. Moreover, she would have to both bring up and convince her son to accept the vow she had made on his behalf before conception. Her vow revealed her true motive for asking for a son. She was not primarily in competition with Peninnah or seeking a son to soothe her ego, but she wanted to contribute her quota in fulfilling God’s purpose in Israel. In the New Testament dispensation, vows to God are rarely mentioned. Believers in Christ have better promises and a more definite filial relationship with God. Vows are not necessary where a father-child relationship prevails. Apart from this, a person cannot make vows on things which do not belong to him. If we are totally yielded to Him, how can we call it a vow that which is an obligation we owe our Lord and Savior? In the real sense, we own nothing, we have nothing and we can do nothing that may be properly counted a vow to God.