I thought I’d focus this short blog on women who are currently planning to become mums, but have not yet seen that outcome. A mixture of emotions can ensue when this drags out for so long, particularly when you have to put on a brave face to congratulate mothers around you who do not have a battle with this issue.
He settles the childless woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
Praise the Lord.
Psalm 113:9 (NIV)
You Are Not Alone
You are not alone. There are many other women facing this challenge that later go on to have a quiver full.
There’s a woman in the Bible called Hannah, who had this problem. She was married to Elkanah, who also had a second wife called Peninnah. Peninnah had many sons and daughters.
During their annual event, when they would go to worship the Lord and sacrifice an offering at Shiloh, Elkanah would give portions of meat to all his sons and daughters he had with Peninnah, and to Hannah, he would give a double portion. 1 Samuel 1:4.
I’m sure many aspiring mums would be familiar with a story similar to this, particularly around Christmas, when you give gifts to perhaps your nieces and nephews or other people that have children, and of course, they can only give you one gift if you have no children.
This is how Hannah felt year after year, and to be childless those days was socially and economically limiting for a woman.
Seek God In Prayers
Unlike Rachel in Genesis 30:1, who was in a similar position and said to her husband, “Give me a child or else I will die.” Hannah took her issue to God right there in Shiloh, where they had gone to worship.
She prayed internally, not moving her lips, in anguish pouring out her grief to the Lord. She also made a vow to dedicate her child to the Lord. Initially, Eli the priest thought she was drunk, but when he realised she was not, he agreed with her in prayer that God would grant her request.
Co-labourers With God
Hannah had a son and named him Samuel. It is interesting to note that the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb. 1 Samuel 1:5. Like me, you may ask why? This scripture came to mind: It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2. (AMP)
God knew all along that Samuel was going to be a very prominent priest in the History of Israel, who played a pivotal role in transitioning Israel from a period of Judges to kings, but Hannah also had an important role in preparing Samuel for this great mission and the way God got her attention was to close her womb to enable her to make this discovery.
Hannah’s Discovery
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
While Hannah prayed in anguish, not even moving her lips, but perhaps she groaned internally. Her posture of prayer took her to a state of mind where she could connect with God’s purpose and come into agreement with God’s will for Samuel.
And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 1 Samuel 1:-11 (NIV).
You can read the complete account in 1 Samuel chapter 1.
Standing In The Gap
I would like to stand with you in prayers and I have written out a prayer to facilitate this. You can go a step further in faith and buy my book, A Mother’s Prayers, Week by Week Devotional for your unborn Child.
My younger brother bought my book in 2021 after waiting 8 years for his second child and I agreed with him in prayers and last year, my niece was born. Find someone who would continue to stand with you in prayers over this issue. Never underestimate the power of prayers. May the Lord remember you as he did Hannah.
“Again I say to you, that if two believers on earth agree [that is, are of one mind, in harmony] about anything that they ask [within the will of God], it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
Matthew 18:19 (AMP).
This is an act of faith in a God that still answers prayers and not a magic formula and it may not work for everyone, but it could work for you.
A Prayer For Mums to Be
Our Father in heaven, you are loving, gracious
and compassionate in all your ways
You are the giver and sustainer of life
You give seed to sowers and provide rain to
cause every seed to grow and produce a
bountiful harvest, lush and healthy to
nourish all your creation.
You never fail to cause the sun to rise,
giving life to the seed, rain to water,
the ground, bees to pollinate the plants,
You are sovereign over all things.
You’re the same today, yesterday and evermore
I pray you would extend your hand of favour
to every woman looking to you for a child.
Let your healing power flow thorough them,
and bring life to what was dead.
Fill them with your life, and light up dark
places and let your river of healing flow
over hidden places needing healing
Overshadow them with your Spirit and let
darkness be silenced while hope sings
out aloud, as life breathes again
and the little heartbeats drums to
your praise and glory – Amen!
Joanne Sojinu, Author A Mother’s Prayers, Week by Week Devotional For Your Unborn Child.