In 1 Samuel 1 we read the powerful story of Hannah, her struggles and her faith. Hannah demonstrates the power of prayer, and the effectiveness of placing our trust in God to do what is best. Surely she had prayed to God about a child many times before, but this time she offers her future child to God, as a Nazarite all his life. Samuel’s calling was given even before he was conceived.
Hannah is so convinced that God will answer her prayer this time, that after her encounter with Eli, she “went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” Hannah had taken the time to pray such an emotional plea before eating. She had placed her relationship with God first, and having done all she can, she continues with life. I find Hannah’s attitude really powerful; she had absolute confidence that God would answer her prayer, in contrast to many of our prayers where we don’t really expect that God will answer.
Chapter 1 concludes with Hannah keeping her word and bringing Samuel to the temple, just as God had kept His word and given Hannah a son. She tells Eli, “As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” The same is true for us. Our calling was given even before we were born, and as long as we live, we are given to God.