A MOTHER’S PRAYER AND PRAISE

TEXT - 1 SAMUEL 2:1-10

INTRODUCTION

A YOUNG MOTHER WHO HAD FOUR SMALL CHILDREN FOUND THAT HER DAYS WERE PRETTY HECTIC. HER HUSBAND, A VERY SYSTEMATIC MAN, DECIDED TO HELP HER MAKE OUT A SCHEDULE. ON IT HE LISTED ALL HER THINGS TO DO AND THE EXACT TIME EACH ONE WAS TO BE DONE.  THE NEXT EVENING HE GLANCED AT THE SCHEDULE HANGING IN THE KITCHEN.  AT THE END OF THE LIST THE MOTHER HAD ADDED, "CALL UNDERTAKER FOR FREE ESTIMATE."

I'M SURE YOU HAVE HEARD IT SAID, "GOD COULDN'T  BE EVERYWHERE,  SO HE CREATED MOTHERS."

WHILE YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH THE THEOLOGY OF THIS STATEMENT, WE CAN ALL APPRECIATE THE SENTIMENT BEHIND IT. MOTHERS HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN ALL OUR HEARTS BECAUSE  OF THE  WAY THEY  HAVE INFLUENCED OUR LIVES.

ON A REAL HOT DAY DURING THE SUMMER A FAMILY HAD INVITED GUESTS OVER FOR DINNER. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY THE MOTHER BEGAN TO REGRET THAT SHE HAD INVITED THEM AND COMMENTED, "WHY DID I INVITE THOSE PEOPLE HERE ON A HOT DAY LIKE THIS?  WHEN THE GUESTS ARRIVED AND DINNER WAS SERVED THE MOTHER ASKED HER FIVE YEAR OLD SON TO SAY THE BLESSING.  "BUT MOM," THE BOY SAID, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY."  "JUST SAY WHAT YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY," THE MOTHER TOLD HIM. OBEDIENTLY, THE LITTLE BOW BOWED HIS HEARD AND SAID, "OH LORD, WHY DID I INVITE THOSE PEOPLE HERE FOR DINNER ON A HOT DAY LIKE THIS?"

THIS MORNING OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN 1 SAMUEL 2:1-10 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, “A MOTHER’S PRAYER AND PRAISE."

HANNAH WAS A PRAYING MOTHER.

IN CHAPTER ONE OF THIS BOOK SHE PRAYED TO GOD FOR A SON AND GOD GRANTED HER REQUEST.

NOW HANNAH IS PRAYING TO GOD WITH PRAISE IN HER HEART FOR THE WAY GOD ANSWERED HER PRAYER.

AS WE EXAMINE MOTHER HANNAH'S PRAYER I'D LIKE US TO NOTICE THREE REASONS WHY SHE PRAISED GOD.

THESE ARE ALSO THREE REASONS WHY WE ALL OUGHT TO GIVE PRAISE TO GOD TODAY IN OUR PRAYER LIVES.

LET'S LOOK NOW AT OUR TEXT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM MOTHER HANNAH'S PRAYER AND HOW TO PRAISE GOD.