"Sir, do you remember me?"  Hannah asked.  "I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord.  I asked the Lord to give me this child, and he has given me my request.  Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life."  And they worshiped the Lord there.

1 Samuel 1:26-28

In 1 Samuel chapter one God reveals that he can accomplish his purposes in the bleakest of circumstances.  At that time the high priest Eli was old, and his sons were corrupt.  The Israelites had experienced many conflicts as they established themselves in Canaan.  In the midst of this turmoil, God used the prayers of Hannah, a humble woman from Ephraim, to bring about the renewal of Israel.  Her willingness to give God her only child, whom she dearly loved, provided Israel with a great spiritual leader for many years.  God's purposes can be accomplished in answer to the humblest of prayers if they are offered with reverence and sincerity.  Let us invite God to accomplish his great purposes in our life as we bring our requests before him.

Prayer for the week: Soverign Lord, you can accomplish your purposes in ways too numerous to count.  We thank you for watching over us and working for our good.  Teach us to trust in your strength, and help us learn to depend on you.  Amen.