Hannah’s prayer, after God gives her a son, is a wonderful testimony to God’s ability to see everything (1 Samuel 2:2-10). At one point, she prays, “The Lord is a God who knows” (v. 3). God knows everything. He sees us and everything that happens to us. Not only does He see it all, but He assesses the actions that unfold before Him (v. 10). When someone acts with kindness, God sees it and judges accordingly. When someone is mean, God knows all about it and weighs that deed on His scales of judgement. What a comfort and challenge to be known by One who sees everything.

Hannah prayed for a child and God answered. He provided a son in Samuel. I find that I’m often quick to ask God for something, but not quite so diligent in offering praise when He answers (especially when the answer is not what I expect). Hannah not only prays, but also gives thanks to the Lord for His response to her prayers (1 Samuel 2:1-10).

I’m not under any pretense that God always answers our prayers in the way we expect. His ways are higher than our ways. In 1 Samuel 1, we see a godly woman pouring out her heart to God for a child. Hannah was deeply distressed by her childless state. She prayed fervently and God heard her prayer. In this case, God granted her request in the form of a son. Hannah named this precious gift from the Lord, Samuel, which means, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” As we read in James 5:16, the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.