Through The Bible in a Year - March 13, 2026
“O LORD of hosts, if you will...give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life.” – 1 Samuel 1:11
Hannah prayed a life-rendering prayer: “Lord, open my womb. Give me life—a child.”
We have the right to approach heaven with such prayer: “God, bring life to my womb. God, give life to my child. God, bring LIFE.”
But we don’t stop there. We pray for the eternal life as well as the earthly life of our children. It is right to pray:
• God, give them life with You
• Put a hedge about them so nothing separates them from You
• Give them a Christian spouse
• Give them what they need to know true life with You
We pray such prayers, seeing how God used Hannah’s prayer. Hannah was praying for the near effect—a son. But God had a far effect in mind. That son was Samuel, the last judge and first prophet who would anoint King David, beginning the Davidic line from which Jesus would come.
Hannah prayed, “Lord, open my womb to a son.” God was opening the world to the birth of a Savior, his Son.
Think about this: Hannah was alone, mocked, troubled, abused, and felt worthless. She was on her knees without even words to express what she wanted. Yet, God took her prayer and worked a salvation plan for the whole world far beyond what she could have requested or even imagined.
We pray for earthly things and many times – but not always – experience God’s answer in the way that we request. Yet, God is always working through and beyond our prayers for eternal purposes that exceed the specifics of our desires and the good we can even imagine. We pray for earthly things; God works eternal things.
Respond: What life-rendering prayer do you need to offer to God? Perhaps you are praying for your child’s physical life? Spiritual life?Eternal life? Pray it today, believing God works eternal purposes through earthly prayers.
Prayer: Lord of Hosts, I bring You my life-rendering prayer: [name it]. I’m praying for earthly things, but I trust You’re working eternal things beyond my imagining. Hear my prayer. Work Your purposes. I trust you to do what is right and good and eternally best. In Jesus’ name, amen.