Hannah Prays for a Baby

Who doesn't love the story of Hannah?

Kids love it, too! A lot of them have babies in their own homes and have seen the joy that they bring. And they love hearing from their parents how THEY were prayed for and how happy they made their families when they finally arrived.

I don't have a photo of the finished craft yet, but here's what the template looks like. You can download the PDF here. Directions below.

1 Samuel 1 describes Hannah's misery at not being able to have children. That was enough to cause sorrow in itself, but in addition she was constantly taunted by her husband's other wife, who had several children. (She must've been really jealous of Hannah. The Bible says their husband loved Hannah more.)

Hannah cried about it all the time. Her husband tried to cheer her up, saying "Aren't I better than 10 sons?" But when they made their annual trip to the temple, Hannah made a special point to come to the tabernacle, crying as she prayed.

The priest saw her lips moving as she knelt at the altar and thought she was drunk! Hannah assured him that she was only sad and crying to God. He answered, "Go in peace, and the God of peace grant your petition which you have asked of Him." (1 Sam 1:17)

Well, Hannah took that as coming from God Himself! She got up from there and was "no more sad." (That's a good lesson for us grownups too--taking God's word for it when there's no physical evidence yet. That's faith!) As you know, Hannah went on to give birth to Samuel the prophet, then five more children after that!

PREPARATION:

Template copied on white card stock or white paper

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Crayons or markers

Scissors

Tape (one roll per table should do)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Color Hannah and her arms.

2. Cut out.

3. (You'll probably have to help them with this.) Align the arms so that the hands come together in front as if in prayer. Tape the arms to the body to make a "hinge."

When you open her arms, Hannah's holding her baby!