Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
TUESDAY, June 14
1 Samuel 1:21—2:11. The Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent [my child] to the Lord.
Hannah had been barren and borne the reproach of her husband’s other, fruitful wife. She begged God for a son. Her petition was granted, and she gave birth to Samuel.
Her faith engaged her in this miracle. In her faithfulness, she offered Samuel back to God. This is a radical faithfulness that we cannot copy. We cannot take our firstborn to the priest and hand the child over to the church. But we can learn a piercing lesson from Hannah. All that we have has been given to us. It does not belong to us. All that we are and all that we hold belongs to God.
How loosely do we hold the things of this life? Loosely enough to return our gifts to God in thanks- giving? In God’s hands Samuel would become a great leader of his people. By offering ourselves, our lives, and all that is in them to God, we allow God to do more than we can ask or imagine. We are being faithful.
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my will—all that I have and possess. You, Lord, have given all to me. I now give it back to you.
—Ignatius Loyola
PRAY for the Diocese of Oke-Ogun (Province of Ibadan, Nigeria)
Ps 78:1-39 * 78:40-72; 1 Acts 1:15-26; Luke 20:19-26
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A Meditation for Pentecost
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Hanna lent her child to God because Hanna knew that it was God who blessed her barren self with the gift of Samuel. Hanna knew this because she prayed continuously for this particular gift. She lent her child. Lent is an important word here. We cannot jump from the life of a child to the things of our lives, as the author of this meditation did. We cannot jump from our offering of ourselves to God to believing that we can offer others. I su*gest we relook at this passage of Scripture for its true message which is Glorify God first and foremost and always know, God's Will be done.