A Praying Mother

Sunday, May 12, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.”

1 Samuel 3:19–21

In one sense it is remarkable that Samuel grew to be a powerful and effective prophet. After Samuel was born, in answer to Hannah’s fervent prayers, and as soon as he was old enough to go to Shiloh, Hannah took him to the temple and left him with Eli to serve the Lord as she had promised before Samuel's birth. As a result, Samuel actually grew up surrounded by negative influences. Eli was negligent in his duties, both as a father and as a priest. His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were greedy and immoral, disobeying God's commands. Their conduct was so evil that some people stopped coming to the tabernacle to worship.

Yet in this environment, Samuel grew to become a mighty prophet, wholly devoted to God. It is easy to look around at our society and be discouraged for the future of our children and grandchildren. But evil in the world does not mean that they cannot live holy lives which are dedicated to God's service. There is a powerful resource available to us as believers which can overcome the influence and attraction of the world—prayer. Hannah said, “For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there” (1 Samuel 1:27–28). When our children and grandchildren grow and go out into the world, they should do so surrounded by the prayers of those who love them.

Today's Growth Principle: 

Prayer is the most powerful tool a mother has to shape her children's future.