In the Old Testament Book of Samuel, it contains a poignant example of stewardship and of prayer. The first chapter tells us of an unhappy, barren woman named Hannah. Desperate in her barrenness, Hannah prays to God for many years for a child. She promises if she is to be blessed to have a son, she will raise him to be a man who knows and loves God.
Imagine Hannah’s joy when her prayer had been answered; when her son was born! Imagine, too, the pang of motherly sorrow, as Hannah took her one and only child, Samuel, to become the servant of Eli, the High Priest.
Indeed, Hannah knew her son was truly a gift from God—an answered prayer. Hannah’s response to a prayer answered was one with an attitude of both gratitude and sacrifice. Through her deepest desire to have a child, it allowed God to use her son to become a gift for an entire nation.
A regular prayer life takes time and practice. Our model for prayer is Jesus, who gathered the community and prayed with them and often made time to pray by himself.
- Consider reading the daily readings of the Catholic Church
- Make time to pray for— and with—your loved ones each day
- Download an app that brings you into the presence of God
- On Most Sacred Heart’s commitment card, learn about additional opportunities for prayer