Today, I would just like to share two paragraphs about Hannah that really encouraged me to be praying more for my children. We can spend lots of time and money trying to educate our children, but if we’re not praying for them, we will not have the same outcome. When we’re praying for them, we can have the aid of the angels in training them. I was also reminded of the importance of my own character. To be a real Christian in my own home is no small task, but Hannah could do it, so I know that there’s strength available for us too. “Hannah was a woman of fervent piety. Gentle and unassuming, her character was marked with deep earnestness and a lofty faith.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 572 ) Wouldn’t you like that to be said of you? I sure would.
I hope these words encourage you, like they did me.
“When separated from her child, the faithful mother’s solicitude did not cease. Every day he was the subject of her prayers. Every year she made, with her own hands, a robe of service for him; and as she went up with her husband to worship at Shiloh, she gave the child this reminder of her love. Every fiber of the little garment had been woven with a prayer that he might be pure, noble, and true. She did not ask for her son worldly greatness, but she earnestly pleaded that he might attain that greatness which Heaven values–that he might honor God and bless his fellow men.
“What a reward was Hannah’s! and what an encouragement to faithfulness is her example! There are opportunities of inestimable worth, interests infinitely precious, committed to every mother. The humble round of duties which women have come to regard as a wearisome task should be looked upon as a grand and noble work. It is the mother’s privilege to bless the world by her influence, and in doing this she will bring joy to her own heart. She may make straight paths for the feet of her children, through sunshine and shadow, to the glorious heights above. But it is only when she seeks, in her own life, to follow the teachings of Christ that the mother can hope to form the character of her children after the divine pattern. The world teems with corrupting influences. Fashion and custom exert a strong power over the young. If the mother fails in her duty to instruct, guide, and restrain, her children will naturally accept the evil, and turn from the good. Let every mother go often to her Saviour with the prayer, ‘Teach us, how shall we order the child, and what shall we do unto him?’ Let her heed the instruction which God has given in His word, and wisdom will be given her as she shall have need.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 572, 573)
These words challenged me to spend more time in prayer for my children. My new goal is to spend one hour a week in prayer for each one of my children. Would you like to join me in this challenge? And let’s not forget to pray that we can have Jesus shining through us too.
The Adventist Home Educator 