“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him…now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord…” – 1 Samuel 1:27-28 (NIV)
Hannah’s account in 1st Samuel is one of deep longing, heartfelt prayer, and total surrender. For years, she lived with the pain of barrenness while her rival provoked her. Yet in her sorrow, she turned to God, pouring out her heart at the temple. She made a vow: ‘Lord, if You bless me with a son, I will give him back to You for his whole life.’
God answered her prayer, and Samuel was born. True to her word, once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him to Eli the priest in the temple. She released him into the service of the Lord – not because she didn’t love him, but because she loved God even more. She understood something vital: children are not possessions; they are precious trusts from the Lord.
Returning our children to God does not mean abandoning them, but acknowledging that they ultimately belong to Him. It means raising them under His guidance, teaching them His Word, praying for them daily, and encouraging them to spend time in His presence – just as young Samuel grew up serving in the house of the Lord.
This truth is personal for me. At the age of three, my mother exposed me to theology and enrolled me in a Bible course, which I completed and received a certificate for. At the time, I may not have understood the full significance, but as I grew older, I discovered a deep passion for studying God’s Word. I am forever grateful for her foresight and spiritual investment, which shaped my walk with God from childhood.
As parents, guardians, or mentors, our role is to equip, guide, and release our children into God’s hands, trusting Him even when His path for them is unexpected.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of children. Help me to see them as Yours before they are mine. Give me the courage to place them entirely in Your hands, to pray for them continually, and to guide them into Your presence. May they grow to honour You all their days. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Psalm 127:3; Mark 10:13-14
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 20:5-14; 1 Corinthians 10:14-33; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Chronicles 5:2-14; 2 Chronicles 6; 2 Chronicles 7:1-10lm 96; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; Ecclesiastes 9:13-18; Ecclesiastes 10; Ecclesiastes 11; Ecclesiastes 12