Below are a few notes from last Sunday's sermon on Hannah's Prayer found in 1 Samuel chapter 1.  To hear this sermon, click here.

Children are a gift from the Lord.  But God has a purpose for each and every gift He gives.
Hannah wants a baby, but Israel needs a deliverer.  God is not merely in the baby giving business. God is in the business of redeeming humanity. God doesn't simply want to bless you - He wants to make you into a blessing.

Hannah's prayer was:
A definite prayer (give me a son)
A sacrificial prayer (I will lend him back)
A persevering prayer (she continued praying)
A heartfelt prayer (spoke in her heart)
An unreserved prayer (poured out my soul)
A transforming prayer (her face was no longer sad)

God is in control. In the darkest of days, in the worst of situations, in events that are bewildering to us, God is sovereign and still has a plan.  If we seek His face, we get to join Him in the great drama that is the advancement of the kingdom of God.