Tel Shiloh- Hannah's Prayer

There is much to see at Tel Shiloh.

But, some of the things we had heard about---

like a replica of the Tabernacle were not there on this 

 overcast and sometimes rainy, Winter day.

 There are a couple of proposed sites]

 for the layout of the Tabernacle.

Here is one that fits the dimensions- 

with more recent ruins on the site.

 The lands around Tel Shiloh are 

beautiful vineyards and terraced olive groves.

Another post will tell more about this site-

today I have been reflecting on Hannah's Prayer.

 It is LIFE SUNDAY today-Jan 19, 2020- 

in many of our Lutheran Churches.

Marches have happened in 

various places in the United States.

So this is my focus today...

Reflection:

1 Samuel 1:1-2:11

The heartbreak of the childless Hanna.

 She came to the temple of the Lord in Shiloh to pray.

She vowed to the Lord that if he

 granted her request of a son 

she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life.

Eli thought she had been drinking and questioned her.

But she replied that she was "troubled in spirit."

Then Eli gave her a blessing:

 "Go in peace and the God of Israel 

grant your petition that you have made of him."

Hannah conceived by her husband Elkanah

 and she kept the baby until he was weaned

 and then brought him back to 

Shiloh to Eli to serve in the Tabernacle.

She blessed the Lord with prayer 

and Samuel served the Lord 

and became a great prophet of the Lord.

a prayer for today:

Dear Heavenly Father, 

we lift up all the women who yearn 

to be blessed with a child of their own. 

We lift up all the women 

who have suffered the great loss 

of miscarriage before their child was born.

We lift up all the women 

who have ended the life of a child

 and live with this deep loss, in shame and grief.

We lift up all the men who have walked

 in all of these challenges with women in their lives.

Bring healing to all the hearts, 

grant restoration in relationships, 

and hope to the souls.

 Lord, we ask a special fullness of Peace

  on this Life Sunday,

that your grace will allow hearts

 to see the sanctity of all life given by your hand.

In the name of Jesus. Amen