The nation was a total embarrassment to God. Leaders were unfaithful. Neighbors were divided by tribal commitments. There was unspeakable violence. People abandoned religion. Moral failure was widespread. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes. As contemporary as that might sound, I’m talking about the background of Sunday’s scripture from 1 Samuel 1:9-20.

Hannah struggled with infertility and shame. Her personal pain mirrored the futility and embarrassment of Israel. She prayed desperately to God. Hannah asked for a son and she promised to give him right back to God. Her boy Samuel would become her pride and joy. Samuel would also restore the spiritual, moral, and military strength of Israel. Sunday’sscripture reminds us, the prayers of the weak and powerless can change the world.

Pastor Ryan Eikenbary-Barber