“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?

On this day...

• Ezra 1 - 2023
• 2 Samuel 5 - 2023
• Deuteronomy 26:2 - 2016
• Mercy's Master Motive - 2011
• 1 John 5 - 2011
• 1 John 4 - 2011
• Sin that so easy entangles - 2011
• One soul's fate is placed in your hands - 2011
• Let us submit to the will of God - 2011
• None can help us but Christ - 2011