The Holy work of waiting

Hannah’s story in the Bible speaks tenderly to women who know what it is to wait. She longed for a child while enduring years of disappointment, misunderstanding, and quiet grief. Scripture does not rush past her pain—it allows us to sit with her in it.

In the temple, Hannah prayed with raw honesty. She poured out her soul before the Lord and surrendered her deepest desire to God’s will. If God chose to give her a son, she would give him back. This was not a casual promise; it was an act of trust rooted in surrender. What is remarkable is that Hannah’s peace came before the answer. Scripture tells us her face was no longer downcast after she prayed. Her circumstances had not yet changed, but her heart had. She left her burden with God.

1 Samuel 1:10-11, 18

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

This story mirrors many women’s journeys today, including my own. After nearly four years of infertility, extensive medical testing, and the heartbreak of miscarriage, we were told pregnancy was not impossible but improbable. After doing everything we could medically to no avail, we reached a place of surrender and released our will to God’s. We went to the altar in our church and prayed one of the most difficult prayers we ever had to pray, “Not our will, but Yours, Lord. We say yes to what you have for us.”

Just a few months after we surrendered, God answered our prayer! My doctor and his staff were believers and obviously knew of our painful struggles. When his nurse came out with the positive pregnancy test, he joined us and gave me a great big hug. I will never forget the absolute JOY of the LORD that we all felt that day! God blessed us with our first miracle, a son. For this child we prayed! (1 Samuel 1:27) He was and is a testament to God’s faithfulness and to our willingness to say, “Yes God, we accept what you have for us, even if it means no children.” Three and a half years later, we were blessed with our second miracle son, another evidence of God’s blessing as we left the choice to Him. We rejoiced in the miracle of these precious lives with whom God entrusted to us. The legacy of these miracles continues as now we have 4 beautiful grandchildren we get to enjoy. He did exceedingly abundantly above what we could ask or think!

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Like Hannah, the miracle was not only the answered prayer, but it was the work God did in the waiting. The delay deepened our faith, reshaped our trust, and reminded us that God’s timing, though often painful, is purposeful and perfect. When God says wait, WALK in His timing, ALIGN with His will, INVEST in His Word, TRUST in His plan.

1. Hannah’s Honest Prayer -- Hannah brought her pain directly to God.

• What stands out to you about Hannah’s prayer?

• Why do you think honest prayer can feel difficult?

2. The Cost of Surrender -- Hannah surrendered not only her desire, but her control.

• What does surrender look like in seasons of waiting?

• Is surrender the same as giving up? Why or why not?

3. Peace Before the Answer -- Hannah’s countenance changed before her circumstances did.

• Have you ever experienced God’s peace without an immediate solution?

• What helps you trust God when answers are delayed?

4. God’s Faithfulness in the Waiting -- God remembered Hannah—and He remembers us.

• How have seasons of waiting shaped your faith?

• Where have you seen God sustain you, even without clear answers?

Prayer Points:

~ Lord, teach us to bring our pain to you just like Hannah did. Help us to be honest with You and trust that You can provide true comfort in the waiting.

~ Father, give us hearts that are surrendered to You, knowing that when we are aligned with Your will, we will experience peace.

~ God, remind us that You remember us, even when it doesn’t seem like it. You sustain us, and ask us to use seasons of waiting to shape our faith.

Lord, You know every longing of each woman reading this. You know the prayers spoken aloud and the ones held quietly in our hearts. Teach us to surrender our desires, our timelines, and our expectations to You. Help us to walk in obedience to you, even when it’s hard. Give us peace that rests in who You are, even while we wait. We trust that You are faithful—always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Susan Burke

Flourish Women’s Ministry

Mid-Way Baptist Church