The words above aren’t from a mighty king like David; but rather from a young, humble woman named Hannah whose story can be found in 1 Samuel chapters 1-2.

Hannah’s story is beautiful, touching, and powerful, and I highly recommend you read it in full. This story meant so much to me and Kimberly that we gave our oldest daughter the name Hannah.

Hannah was married to a man named Elkanah, who loved her dearly. Unfortunately, she was unable to have children. Elkanah’s second wife (something I don’t recommend), Peninah, had several children, and she mocked Hannah for years because of her barrenness. 

Hannah was very hurt, so she took her heart to the Lord. One year, when Elkanah took his family to the Temple to worship, Hannah stayed at the Temple to pray for a son, promising to dedicate him to the Lord if God would answer her prayer. 

And miraculously, God did! Within a year, Hannah had a new baby boy called Samuel. Hannah kept her promise and brought him to the Temple of the Lord where he would live and serve the rest of his life. Samuel would become a great prophet for the Lord.

In response to God’s greatness, Hannah does what she always did, she prayed. And she prayed gloriously. Although I’m sure it was difficult to leave her only son at the temple, she beautifully praised God for more than just answering her prayer. She exulted God for His uniqueness, knowledge, strength, justice, and sovereignty (1 Samuel 2:1-10).

One thousand years later, another young woman borrowed from Hannah’s prayer in response to God’s greatness. Shortly after Mary learned she would give birth to Jesus, she lifted up her voice and prayed the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), a favorite prayer of the Church which exults God for His mercy, strength, justice, sovereignty, and goodness.   

Like Mary, we should also follow Hannah’s example. I know I don’t spend enough time in praise. My prayers are usually more focused on what I want or need rather than on who God is or what He’s done. And yet God’s uniqueness, knowledge, strength, mercy, justice, and goodness haven’t changed and never will. 

So let’s take time, even just 2 minutes, to focus on God and His greatness, to reflect on who He is and what He has done, and to praise the Lord with our hearts and our words. Our God is a great God. Let us praise Him!

In Christ,

Fr. BJ