Oswald Chambers is quoted as saying “Men ought to always pray and not lose heart” but he was repeating Jesus in Luke 18:1 when teaching His disciples with the parable of the persistent widow to always keep praying.

So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her.

I Samuel 1:7

Hannah is another example of a woman who prayed persistently. She desperately wanted a child, but couldn’t have one. Every year, she went with her husband Elkanah to sacrifice at the temple and pray for a son. In today’s verse, you find that Elkanah’s other wife Peninnah, who had several children, taunted Hannah because she was barren. Despite her sorrow and hurt, Hannah kept praying. Eventually, she was given Samuel, who became a prophet, along with two more sons and two more daughters.

Hannah kept asking because she believed God would answer. Is there something you’ve prayed for in the past but have stopped because you lost hope or others ridiculed you? Don’t give up. Just keep asking – starting today. Pray, too, for Christians to stay persistent in their intercessions for the nation and its leaders.

Recommended Reading: Luke 11:1-12