Matthew 16:19(NLT)
“Jesus Christ said ‘And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.’”
Sometimes, when it seems that a situation is just hopeless, it’s not always the easiest thing to build faith. Whether it’s struggles with finances, health, family issues, work, or the desire to get married, when the circumstances involve other people, things can be tough. We can’t force people to change or make them care about the same things we do, and this can leave us feeling stuck. So, what options do we have? This is a question that many single Christian women wrestle with. They are wondering how to meet the person God has for them. How do you catch the attention of the one that’s meant for you? And for those that are in relationships, how do you move the needle towards marriage? It can seem almost impossible, but the truth for the Christian is that it’s not impossible. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 19:26, “With God, everything is possible.” This is very good news for us.
Hannah’s story in the Old Testament is incredibly encouraging. She was the wife of Elkanah, and although he had two wives, Hannah was his favorite. His other wife, Peninnah, was the complete opposite of Hannah. Peninnah gave birth to children with ease, but this wasn’t the case with Hannah; she was barren, and this was a huge deal back then. Wives were expected to give their husbands children, and it was very important for them to produce a son. It seemed to Hannah that no matter how much she prayed for a child; she couldn’t get pregnant. Peninnah made sure she poured salt on her wound. She mocked Hannah and was the epitome of a thorn in the flesh.
You can only imagine the deep sorrow and heartbreak Hannah felt year after year as she begged God for a child, yet nothing changed. Despite her misery, she didn’t let her pain drive her away from God. Instead, she took her struggles before Him in prayer. In 1 Samuel 1:9-11 (NLT), it says: “Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: ‘O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.’”
Her prayers not only demonstrated humility, but also a deep willingness to dedicate her blessing back to God as a way of showing her gratitude and honoring Him. What a lesson for us as single women! Hannah’s vow was selfless, and this was such a powerful expression. This woman didn’t just want a child for her own sake, but she was willing to give him back to God in service. Talk about surrender, this is it! It reflected her trust in God’s plan and her commitment to honor Him above her own desires. It was a beautiful example of how we can offer our blessings back to God, acknowledging that everything we receive is ultimately a gift from Him that must be used for His glory, not ours.
The question we must have the courage and commitment to ask is: how will we honor God with the blessing of marriage that He gives us? How will we take this incredible gift and dedicate it back to Him in service and gratitude? If you haven’t asked our Heavenly Father this question, there’s no time like the present. Be committed to understanding what He requires of you in your marriage. Be willing to make the vow and be committed to keep it, just as Hannah did. What must you release, and what aspect of God’s nature must you embrace in order to be the wife He desires you to be? This is Hannah’s kind of humility, and when we walk in it, we can be certain that God hears our prayers. And the result will be the opportunity to give back to Him according to the vow we have made. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“The Result of Believing that God Hears Your Prayer”, written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.