Lesson Review

• Last week we learnt that for three and half years there was no rain in Israel because they had rebelled against God. When the people finally turned back to God, Elijah prayed to God for rain. When he did so, he sent his servant back and forth six times to go check for clouds by the sea from the mountain. Six times there was nothing but on the seventh time, the servant reported, “I have seen a little cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, coming up from the sea.” From the very first time he sent his servant to check, Elijah believed that God had heard his prayers and answered him. We too should have such faith when we pray to God.
• Have the children mention different prayer requests they may have/have had and after each request, hold up one of the circles: red (no), orange (wait/be patient), or green (yes).
• If the children don’t actively respond, you can give examples of things you have prayed for and hold up the signs, e.g. I want a red, shiny bicycle (orange), I want to get a toy/video game/phone (red), and explain that God answers our prayers in different ways and sometimes, we pray for really long before getting our answer like the lady in our Bible story today.

Introduction

• Have you ever been in a situation in which you knew you should pray, but for whatever reason, you didn’t? Have you ever simply forgotten to pray?
• Have you ever been in a terrible situation and so caught up in the events that you forgot to call on the Lord? You were so busy trying everything else that you forgot that God stands ready to hear your prayers.

Bible Story

• There was a man named Elkanah who had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah was blessed with children and year after year, she would embarrass and make fun of Hannah because she did not have any children. Hannah really wanted a child and the Bible tells us that when her family went to the temple in Shiloh every year to pray and offer sacrifices, Hannah would pray and ask God to bless her with a child. Peninnah wasn’t very kind and every year, she would tease Hannah so much that she would cry and refuse to eat anything. Still, Hannah never stopped praying and asking God to bless her with a baby. Hannah prayed through her pain.

• One time, Hannah was so unhappy after eating a meal that she went back to the temple and cried as she prayed to God. Hannah begged God for a son and promised God that she would dedicate the child to God to serve Him. Hannah prayed silently, moving her lips but making no sound for a really long time that Eli the priest even thought she was drunk. Hannah told Eli that she was troubled and was only praying because she was so miserable. Eli then sent Hannah away and told her to go in peace and wished that God would give her what she had been asking for. God indeed did give Hannah what she had been asking for.

• When she left the temple after praying for so long, Hannah was not sad anymore, she ate and went home and she became pregnant and had a son whom she named, Samuel, which means, “I asked the Lord for him.”

From this story, we learn that:

1. We all go through difficult situations BUT we should take them to God in prayer: Hannah wasn’t able to have children and Peninnah was mean to her about it. Year after year she made fun of Hannah and this made her cry. She was deeply unhappy and couldn’t even eat. In those moments, Hannah poured out her heart to God. She prayed continually, boldly, and so intensely (deeply) that Eli thought she was drunk. She prayed until she came to a place of faith and peace – that God would take care of her. Through prayer, Hannah connected with God and was able to leave her burden with Him. We too should take all our burdens, pain and requests to God knowing He will take care of us.
2.  God understands our pain and takes care of us: Over the many years that Hannah prayed to God, He saw her pain and loved her. Just because we don’t get the answers to our prayers immediately, doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love us anymore. He loves us all the time and answers our prayers at His time with love. God gave Hannah peace and took her pain away by giving her the son she had prayed for over many years. Just like Hannah, God will take care of us. He hears us, He understands our pain and will answer us and take care of us. Just keep praying.

Lesson Application

What is your situation? We all go through tough times that sometimes make us feel forgotten and defeated. Where is your heart this morning? What burden are you carrying? Tell God what you feel and what you are going through right now because He is longing to hear from you and He is ready to answer you. Tell God about your pain and whatever may be troubling you and ask Him for His peace. Pause & allow the children to pray.

Discussion Questions

1. For how long had Hannah prayed for a baby? For many years.
2. What do we learn from Hannah’s story? That we should tell God about our struggled and pain; wait patiently when we pray; pray with faith and have peace.
3. From this story what can we do when we are in trouble? We should pray and tell God how we feel and ask Him for peace.

Note: Invite any child who has never given their lives to Christ to do so.