Hannah Prays for a Son Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “The LORD remembered Hannah.”
Hannah and her husband Elkanah lived in the hill country. Elkanah loved Hannah very much. But Hannah had no children. She wanted a baby so much.
Elkanah had another wife named Peninnah. Peninnah had many children, and she was mean to Hannah. Year after year she made Hannah cry. Hannah was so sad, she would not eat.
Every year the family went to Shiloh, to worship at the LORD’s house. Elkanah gave Hannah a double portion – twice as much food. “Hannah, why do you weep?” he asked. “Am I not better to you than ten sons?” To weep means to cry.
One year Hannah went in to pray. Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the door. Hannah cried and cried. She prayed, “LORD of Armies, remember me, and give to your servant a boy. Then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life.”
Hannah prayed in her heart. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. Can you move your lips without a sound, like Hannah? Eli watched her. He thought something was wrong with her.
Hannah said, “I poured out my soul before the LORD.” That means she told God everything in her heart.
Eli said, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition.” A petition is something you ask for. So Hannah went away, and she ate. Her face was not sad anymore.
Early the next morning, the family worshiped the LORD. Then they went home to their town, Ramah. And God did not forget. The LORD remembered Hannah.
Some time later, Hannah had a baby boy! She named him Samuel. She said, “Because I have asked him of the LORD.” Can you rock a little baby in your arms? The LORD remembered Hannah.
Hannah stayed home and took care of little Samuel. She fed him her milk. Then he was old enough to eat other food. So she took him to the LORD’s house.
She went to Eli. “I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD has given me my petition.” So Samuel stayed there, to help Eli and to serve God.
Hannah prayed with joy. “My heart exults in the LORD! There is no one as holy as the LORD, nor is there any rock like our God.” Exults means jumps for joy. A rock is strong and safe, like God. Can you jump for joy with Hannah?
Little Samuel served the LORD. He wore a little linen robe, like a priest. Every year Hannah made Samuel a new little robe. She brought it to him at the LORD’s house.
Eli blessed Elkanah and Hannah. And God gave Hannah three more sons and two daughters! Let’s count them: one, two, three, four, five! The LORD remembered Hannah.
And the child Samuel grew up, close to the LORD.
The LORD heard Hannah’s prayer, and he gave her more than she asked. The LORD remembered Hannah.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Hannah felt when she held baby Samuel for the first time?
- What would you like to tell God in your heart?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color baby Samuel, and the 3 brothers and 2 sisters God gave Hannah later.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“I prayed for this child” — 1 Samuel 1:27 (I prayed → fold your hands; for this child → rock a baby in your arms)
Dear God, thank you that you hear me when I pray. Thank you that I can tell you everything. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God Hears Every Prayer
Memory verse: “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of him.” — 1 Samuel 1:27 · WEB
The Bible story
A lonely woman named Hannah longs for a baby and pours out her heart to God — and discovers that He hears every quiet prayer we ever whisper.
Talk about it
- How did Hannah feel because she had no baby? — Sad and longing for a child
- Where did Hannah's family travel each year to worship God? — Shiloh
- Who loved Hannah dearly and tried to comfort her? — Her husband Elkanah
- What did Hannah do when she was very sad at God's house? — She prayed and cried to God
- What did Hannah promise God if He gave her a son? — To give the boy back to serve God
- Why did the priest Eli think something was wrong at first? — Hannah's lips moved but made no sound
Where is Jesus in this story?
When God answered her prayer, Hannah sang about God lifting up the poor and humble (1 Samuel 2:1–10). Her song ends by speaking of God's “anointed” king, which in Hebrew is the word for Messiah, even before Israel had any king. Years later Mary, expecting Jesus the Messiah, sang a song very much like Hannah's (Luke 1:46–55).
What God wants to tell us
Hannah felt sad and alone, but she did not give up — she brought her biggest wish straight to God. This story reminds us that God listens to every prayer, even the quiet ones we whisper when no one else can hear. He cares about the things that make us sad, and we can always talk to Him. God's timing is perfect, and He loves to help His children in ways bigger than we could ever imagine.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You that You hear me whenever I pray, even when I only whisper. When I feel sad or lonely, help me to bring my worries to You like Hannah did. Thank You for loving me and for always listening to my heart. I trust You. Amen.
Read the story · Coloring page 1 · Coloring page 2 · Quiz · All lessons
Home · All stories · Topics · Coloring pages · Quizzes · Sunday school lessons
