When someone was in distress in the days of America's Wild West, they could send up smoke signals to communicate with others nearby. Everyone understood that urgent help was needed if certain smoke signals were seen and that somebody was in danger. Just as those smoke signals sent out a cry for help, the Lord God hears His children’s cries for help. In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah, was in deep distress over her barren womb. Eli’s other wife, Peninnah, bore children and kept tormenting Hannah for not having children year after year. In 1 Samuel 1, they went to the Temple and Hannah was lost in prayer, crying out to God for relief. The Lord looked on her misery and opened up her womb after she vowed to give her firstborn to Him all the days of his life. When baby Samuel was weaned, they brought him to the Temple where he served the Lord as a great prophet who had a major influence on Israel.
If you are in a challenging situation, you can send up a smoke signal to God through prayer. He understands the situation and fights our enemies. Just like Hannah, whose womb was supernaturally opened by the Lord, we can come out victorious and watch God do much more than we could have imagined. Hannah means grace. The Lord is gracious and is never late in answering our prayers. He gives us strength to stay in faith, trust His promises, and see His glorious miracles.