Who Is a Special Friend to Pray for today?

Where all can you find Samuel's mother, Hannah, in the Bible? In my Read the Bible Through research, I found that Hannah's name is mentioned only in the first two pages of First Samuel. Yet, as long as I can remember, I have heard Hannah's story--She prayed for a son, even to the point of weeping as she prayed. God gave her a son and, in turn, she dedicated her son, Samuel, back to God. Perhaps you, like me, have always considered this to be almost beyond comprehension. She became known to us Bible readers as a most selfless woman--when she did what she sensed God wanted from her. If I were to question you, "Who was Hannah in the Bible?" Most could relate part or all of her story. Little had I realized prior to this year's Read the Bible Through research, the story was mentioned on two pages of the entire Bible. So some might say Hannah is one of the almost unknown women in Scripture.

Would it be fair to say that Scripture is really stories about people just like you and me? Just this week several ordinary women are enduring painful times. Faye has spent eleven days in the hospital because a wound will not heal. Barbara has come home from the hospital and been placed on hospice. Cancer has returned and this time is no longer treatable. Irene had two biopsies and was called this morning--she has breast cancer. Still others have experienced radical change and must adjust. Adrianna has moved from Alabama to Kansas City two weeks ago after never having lived outside of that state. Her husband got a job promotion too good to pass up. Because someone in Alabama knew the Missouri Women's Ministry Director and forwarded the email to me--we were able to meet for lunch. One could see how much she appreciated meeting another Christian woman when she had not met anyone in her first two weeks in Missouri. Cailyn finished elementary school this week and said, I'm both glad and sad--unless someday I go back to teach at Kellybrook, I'll probably never be inside that school again."

As you read, you may be able to make your own list of friends who are having challenges. They deserve my prayers so I'm naming them as I bring their challenges to God each day. My friends are those who have each given their lives to God. I can pray as Hannah did for them--yes, even if they weren't Christians. Who knows at this point what ways God will use these happenings to bring someone closer to the Savior?

And so what is the message? "Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live." 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 (Message)