“For this child I prayed.” — 1 Samuel 1:27

Devout souls delight to look upon those mercies which they have obtained in answer to supplication, for they can see God’s especial love in them. When we can name our blessings Samuel, that is, “asked of God,” they will be as dear to us as her child was to Hannah. Peninnah had many children, but they came as common blessings unsought in prayer: Hannah’s one heaven-given child was dearer far, because he was the fruit of earnest pleadings. How sweet was that water to Samson which he found at “the well of him that prayed!” Quassia cups turn all waters bitter, but the cup of prayer puts a sweetness into the draughts it brings. Did we pray for the…

conversion of our children? How doubly sweet, when they are saved, to
see in them our own petitions fulfilled! Better to rejoice over them as the
fruit of our pleadings than as the fruit of our bodies. Have we sought of the
Lord some choice spiritual gift? When it comes to us it will be wrapped up
in the gold cloth of God’s faithfulness and truth, and so be doubly
precious. Have we petitioned for success in the Lord’s work? How joyful
is the prosperity which comes flying upon the wings of prayer! It is
always best to get blessings into our house in the legitimate way, by the
door of prayer; then they are blessings indeed, and not temptations. Even
when prayer speeds not, the blessings grow all the richer for the delay; the
child Jesus was all the more lovely in the eyes of Mary when she found
Him after having sought Him sorrowing. That which we win by prayer we
should dedicate to God, as Hannah dedicated Samuel. The gift came from
heaven, let it go to heaven. Prayer brought it, gratitude sang over it, let
devotion consecrate it. Here will be a special occasion for saying, “Of
Thine own have I given unto Thee.” Reader, is prayer your element or
your weariness? Which?

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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen