A Prayer for Good Care
The story of Hannah in the Bible epitomizes God’s good, loving and faithful care of His people. In I Samuel, the story unfolds and we are introduced to Hannah, one of Elkanah’s two wives. The Bible tells us in the story that Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, had children, but Hannah had none. Although her husband loved her dearly, Hannah longed to have children. To make matters worse, Peninnah would taunt her for not being able to bear children.
One day in the tabernacle she was crying and praying in deep anguish, to the point that Eli, the priest, thought she was drunk. Hannah vowed that if God would grant her request for a son, she would return him to the Lord’s service for his entire lifetime. Once Hannah explained that she was not drunk, but in deep distress, Eli said, “Go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” And, God did grant her request.
Shortly thereafter, Hannah gave birth to her first son, Samuel. How overjoyed she must have been! Then, remembering her vow, I often wonder how difficult it must have been for Hannah to let go of her beautiful new baby boy.
God provided good care for Samuel in the Tabernacle. Eli, the priest, had two sons whom the Bible calls “scoundrels who had no respect for the Lord or for their duties as priests.” How unsettling the situation could have been for Hannah, knowing that she had given her firstborn son over to such an environment. Yet, as a result of Hannah’s prayers, the Bible tells us, “Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.”
How awesome is that?! God can provide good care for us, too, wherever we are.
Dear Father in Heaven,
We ask today for good care with regard to _____________________________.
We thank You that Your Word tells us in I Peter 5:7 that we can give all of our worries and cares to You, for you care about us. We believe Your Word is true, and ask You to provide good care for _____________________________.
May you provide for every aspect of good care in this situation, just as You care for us and for Your church.
Lord, help us not to doubt, but to always act in accordance with Your will in all things. We thank You that Your Word tells us in I Corinthians 6:13 that You care for our bodies.
Where we are able to be Your hands and feet in providing good care for others, help us to be diligent in doing so.
We ask all these things in Your perfect, holy name.
AMEN.
One day in the tabernacle she was crying and praying in deep anguish, to the point that Eli, the priest, thought she was drunk. Hannah vowed that if God would grant her request for a son, she would return him to the Lord’s service for his entire lifetime. Once Hannah explained that she was not drunk, but in deep distress, Eli said, “Go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” And, God did grant her request.
Shortly thereafter, Hannah gave birth to her first son, Samuel. How overjoyed she must have been! Then, remembering her vow, I often wonder how difficult it must have been for Hannah to let go of her beautiful new baby boy.
God provided good care for Samuel in the Tabernacle. Eli, the priest, had two sons whom the Bible calls “scoundrels who had no respect for the Lord or for their duties as priests.” How unsettling the situation could have been for Hannah, knowing that she had given her firstborn son over to such an environment. Yet, as a result of Hannah’s prayers, the Bible tells us, “Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.”
How awesome is that?! God can provide good care for us, too, wherever we are.
Dear Father in Heaven,
We ask today for good care with regard to _____________________________.
We thank You that Your Word tells us in I Peter 5:7 that we can give all of our worries and cares to You, for you care about us. We believe Your Word is true, and ask You to provide good care for _____________________________.
May you provide for every aspect of good care in this situation, just as You care for us and for Your church.
Lord, help us not to doubt, but to always act in accordance with Your will in all things. We thank You that Your Word tells us in I Corinthians 6:13 that You care for our bodies.
Where we are able to be Your hands and feet in providing good care for others, help us to be diligent in doing so.
We ask all these things in Your perfect, holy name.
AMEN.
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