There was division in the household, but that division did not cause them to stop worshipping the Lord. If anything, for Hannah, her talks with God increased, sharing her heartbreaks with God.

At all times I need to be in touch with God. Hannah was – in the good times and in the bad times – she poured out her heart to God. She did not compare herself to others and how their families were, but focussed on her life, her grief, her unhappiness. And eventually felt, through Eli, that God had answered her prayers because she ate and was no longer downcast. In God alone do we find our answers of our daily living for Jesus.

Hannah did not travel to the temple for a few years until her son was weaned, but still did teach him the ways of God. When the time came she presented him to the Lord for service. So too, our children are not our own. They are a gift from God and we too need to present them for service to the Lord. That needs to be impressed upon the children. That need to be impressed upon the parents.

Let this be my prayer today and tomorrow and . . . help me this day Lord to live at peace with all mankind in my service to You. The joy of the Lord my God is my strength.

Pray on, pray on, O trusting heart,
Let not thy courage fail;
But take thy Savior at His word,
And know thou shalt prevail.
Refrain

Tho’ the cross is hard to bear,
There is balm in secret prayer;
Go and tell thy sorrows there,
And leave it all with Jesus.

What tho’ thy prayers thro’ many tears
May reach His throne on high;
He knows the anguish of thy heart,
And will not pass thee by.

Refrain

Perhaps in some desponding hour,
When hope has well nigh past,
The light will burst upon thy soul,
And joy be thine at last.

Refrain

Pray on, pray on, O weary not,
Whate’er thy trial be;
But lean thy faith on Him Who said,
“It shall be well with thee.”