1 Samuel 1: 6-10; 20; Proverbs 31:28. Hannah means ‘Grace, Favour.’ She was one of the two wives of Elkanah son of Jero, an Ephraimite. Elkanah was a Levite. From the earliest times, the priesthood was tied to the tribe of Levi. The Levites were scattered throughout the land and went to Shiloh to minister at the Tabernacle whenever needed. In many ways.’

Hannah

Hannah was his first wife, but because she was barren, he married Peninnah to have a family according to the custom. However, God’s original plan is that one man be married to one woman for life (Mark 10:1-9).

Each year Elkanah took his family to Shiloh’s to worship (Exodus 23:14-19), and together they ate a meal as a part of their worship (Deuteronomy12:1-7). This annual visit to the Tabernacle should have been a joyful event for Hannah, but Peninnah used the season to irritate and mock her and make jest of her barrenness and childlessness.

Elkanah

When Elkanah distributed the meat from the sacrifice, he had to give many portions to Peninnah and her children and gave Hannah a double portion because he loved her and would not want her to be downcast. However, Elkanah’s generosity certainly did not compensate for Hannah’s infertility. She was still downhearted and would refuse to eat.

Hannah went into the temple and prayed earnestly for a male child, whom she promised to dedicate to the Lord from his birth. Her prayer was heard, and she called her son Samuel. When Samuel was weaned, he was carried to Shiloh to be trained by Eli the priest (1 Sam.1:24-28). Hannah later became the mother of five other children, three sons and two daughters (2:2).

Devotion

Her devotion in sending Samuel a little robe every year is one of the tender-hearted recorded instances of maternal love (2:19). She was a prophetess of extraordinary talent, as is evident from her song elicited by God’s answer to her prayer (2:1-10). (From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, revised edition, CB.Eerdmans Publishing Co.) You can learn further related posts on our character page of the site.

Lessons from Hannah’s Life

⦁ Hannah persevered in times of challenge to accomplish God’s purpose.
⦁ She endured scorn from Penrinah, her rival while waiting for the forest of the work.
⦁ She paid the price through persistence in prayer and as a prophet in Israel. Endurance still pays.
⦁ She is a woman of faith. She trusted God for a solution to be challenged. She did not cut comers (2 Peter 2:9).
⦁ She was a faithful woman. She kept the vow she made to God with more children. (2017 Mother’s Teenagers,

Confirmation

There is a need to celebrate your mother. No matter who your mother is, she carried you in her womb for about nine months. She nearly lost her life on the delivery day because of you. She sacrificed her comfort food, sleep, career, rights, privileges, and others most times because of you. She gave you hope, support, and reasons for living.

She is youdesner, cook, teacher, nurse, doctor,sewing-mistress, hair-dressed playmate, burden-bearer, server, etc. Can you mention other roles of your mother? She is many things to you. What do you think you should do to a woman who becomes so many things because of you? Respond.

How to celebrate your mother

⦁ Write a poem of appreciation to her, or send her a special SMS.
⦁ Put her picture on Facebook or WhatsApp and write something good about her.
⦁ Buy her special gifts.
⦁ If possible, prepare her favourite meal and do not allow her to·cook today.
⦁ Organise a small surprise party for her today or plan an outing in her honour.

Confirmation

We can see that from the short account of Hannah we have written that irrespective of childless challenges Hannah confronted, she chose to sustain her family. She sustained her family through prayer to overcome the home challenges she had.

One is the challenge of childlessness and the second is the misbehaviour of Peninnah. But Hannah is a woman of prayer. This is what God is expecting from all women and even men to be people/families of prayer. To sustain your marriage, you will need to pray the following prayer points.

Prayers to preserve your marriage

Prayer Point 1

Psalm 119:89; Father, thank you for settling your word concerning this marriage.

Prayer Point 2

Isaiah 7:6; Father frustrate every trouble our adversaries are preparing to drag us and our marriage into by fire in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 3

Vs 7; Arrows of failure, rejection and separation fired at my marriage, you shall not stand; catch fire now in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 4

Micah 7;6; I come against the activities of household enemies strategizing to attack, afflict and destroy our marital blessings; in the name of Jesus, be paralyzed by fire.

Prayer Point 5

Vs 7; Arrows of untimely death fired into my marriage, you shall not come to pass; return to sender by thunder and fire in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 6

Exodus 13;21; O LORD, spread your divine fire and cloud of protection and preservation over our marriage and lives now in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 7

Numbers 14;28; LORD, I desire your fire of marital success and tangible testimonies to fall and envelop us and this marriage now in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 8

Isaiah 54:17; You weapons of sorrow and death programmed against my marriage, you shall not prosper; perish now by fire.

Prayer Point 9

Exodus 13:12; Lord, honour us with marital success and tangible testimonies roundabout in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 10

John 10;10; By the blood of Jesus, I deliver myself from every evil, spiritual marriage contract I have consciously or unconsciously entered into, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 11

Every curse issued against my home is cancelled and replaced by blessings in the name of Jesus.

Prayer Point 12

Psalm 133:1-3; I pray for unity, love, divine favour, God’s blessings, God’s mercy, grace and long life to envelop my marriage in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 13

Let the powers of household wickedness and every cage of the enemy fashioned against my home be broken to pieces, in the name of Jesus.

Prayer Point 14

Thank you Jesus for you can keep that which is committed into your hands. Keep my marriage O Lord in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 15

Vs. 7; Arrow of infighting, rejection, failure and separation fired at my marriage, you shall not stand nor come to pass; now catch fire in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 16

Micah 7:6; O Lord, let no wickedness of household enemies meant to attack, afflict and destroy the blessings of our marriage ever come to pass in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 17

Psalm 79:11; Father frustrate and disappoint every evil appointment of untimely death targeted at me, my spouse or children today by fire in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 18

Psalm 103:2; O Lord we bless your name for all the benefits we enjoy in this marriage.

Prayer Point 19

Isaiah 44:25; My Father! My Father! Let the token of liars targeted at this marriage meet with frustration and disappointment in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 20

Divine fire of marital success, breakthroughs and testimonies overtake and distinguish our marriage in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Prayer Point 21

2 Corinthians 2:11; Witchcraft manipulations meant to separate me from my wife/husband, be cut off now by fire in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point 22

I thank You for answering my prayers and granting my requests.

Conclusion

The greatest ministry is your home. The home starts immediately after your marriage ceremony. If the couple fails to preserve their home or marriage, God will not be happy. This article addresses how couples can sustain their marriage and home. after reading about Hannah used as an example here, there are prevailing prayer points that will help in preserving or sustaining your home. Other relevant articles for further reading can be assessed here.