October 5-11, 2025
I recently spent some time with Hannah in the pages of Scripture. She went through a lot to reach a surrendered heart.
One beautiful example in this story is Hannah’s husband, Elkanah. He gave Hannah a double portion of the sacrifice because of his love for her, even in her barrenness. His devotion reminds us that love is not tied to productivity or success. Hannah was cherished simply because she was his beloved. This mirrors how God loves us. Our value is not diminished by what we lack or by seasons of waiting.
Through her suffering, Hannah clung to God in prayer. In pouring out her anguish, she discovered that the beloved are not ignored but heard. She entrusted her deepest longing to the One who loved her most, and in that surrender her faith grew.
God transformed her not only by giving her a son but by reshaping her heart. When she received Samuel, she surrendered him back to God. Belovedness is not about clinging to gifts but living open-handed before the Giver. From this trust came Samuel, the prophet who anointed Israel’s kings.
Hannah’s song resounds with the confidence of the beloved: “My heart rejoices in the Lord.” Her praise declared that God’s love overturns shame and rewrites every story.
I hope you find companionship with her in your study this month.
This week's Bible reading: Samuel 1: 1-11
Day 1: Take a moment to put yourself in Hannah’s shoes. What feelings surface? Write them in your journal. Can you relate to any of those same emotions?
Day 2: What did Hannah do to “deserve” the double-blessing?
Day 3: Why do you think Peninnah acted the way she did? Were her actions justified or not?
Day 4: Elkanah is a character in the story that we often don’t spend time on. His effort with Hannah was significant. What do you think of Elkanah’s love and care for Hannah?
Day 5: Eli, the priest, thought Hannah was drunk because of her “distress prayer.” What distress prayer do you need to pray today?
Challenge: Read through the 11 verses again, what is one background detail that stands out. Write a journal entry or poem reflecting on that smaller detail of the story that mattered to YOU!
Prayer Prompts and Bible Readings are provided by Michele Bowden and Lisa Brass, Coaches with Visual Faith™ Ministry. Find them on our Creative Devotion page, on Instagram @victoryinart and @aworthylif, and on the web at victoryinart.com.