Hannah’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (An article by Christian Henry)

AUGUST 29, 2023

 “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” (1 Sam. 2:1-3)

Hannah was one of the wives of Elkanah the Ephrathite, who was barren and unable to have children. Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, had many children and she often teased Hannah for this, which made her very depressed, and she went to the temple of the Lord to pray. At the temple, she immediately drops to her knees. She begins begging the Lord to give her a son, vowing that she will “…give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” (1 Sam. 1:11). This prayer is answered by the Lord when He does give Hannah a son; the Prophet, Samuel. She then drops to her knees and says another prayer, this time one of thanksgiving.

This prayer is found in the first ten verses of 1 Samuel chapter 2, and in it, she thanks the Lord for hearing her prayer as well as the provision He has shown. Both prayers show a heart deeply affected; in the former, with her own wants, and in the latter, with God’s goodness.

There are several vital observations we should take away from this show of thanksgiving:

1. When she had received mercy from God, she repaid it by singing the Lord’s praises. Praise is our rent or tribute, and we are unjust if we do not pay it.
2. The mercy Hannah had received was an answer to prayer; therefore, she thought herself especially obliged to give thanks for it. What we win by prayer, we may wear with comfort and must wear with praise.
3. Thanksgiving is an essential part of prayer. In every address to God, we must express a grateful regard to Him as our benefactor. This gratitude for mercies will be accepted as a petition for further mercy.
4. She states her wonder of God and His government of the world for the good of His church. Whatever gives rise to our praises, they should be stated before our Father.

Notice that she makes no particular mention of the mercy in which she is made to rejoice. This is truly remarkable, considering how desperately she desired a child. Instead, she chooses to overlook the gift and praise the giver. We may forget the provider and focus solely on what was received in this life. But every stream should lead us to the fountain, and the favors we receive from God should raise our admiration of the infinite perfections there are in God.

This is a sobering reminder for us all: we should be called to declare there is none beside Thee as Hannah does. This glory is due unto His Name when things go right for us, and not only because there is none like Him, but that there is none besides Him. All others are pretenders.