Parent Prayers
Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel … Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore, as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:20, 24-28 (alt)
Tears may flow when parents send their child to the first day of school. These teary-eyed goodbyes are one thing, but leaving a three-to-four-year-old son in the care of a priest far from home to only see him once each year thereafter? Really? There’s no reason to believe that Hannah did not shed tears when she left young Samuel in Eli’s care. Yet, any tears of sorrow were overcome by the joy of simply being a mother. “Hannah prayed and said: ‘My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.’” (1 Samuel 2:1-2)
Notice that Hannah’s song is not about her, nor about choices she made. It is one hundred percent a song of praise and honor that declares who the Lord is, what He has done, and how her joy is connected to Him, rooted in Him, and flows from Him. Hannah’s parenting prayer was thanksgiving and praise to God.
Just imagine what the effect would be if all of our parenting tasks began, continued, and ended with thanksgiving to the Lord. Imagine if parents always looked beyond themselves to pursue what nurtures their children’s souls. The joy of thanksgiving rooted in the heart enables parents to make hard decisions and sacrifices even while teary rain falls from their eyes.
Happy the home where prayer is heard,
And praise is everywhere,
Where parents love the sacred Word,
And its true wisdom share.
Worship and Rejoice 607:3