When we pray, most of the time we will be offering up petitions for our needs, and also the needs of others.
Of course, there are also thanksgiving, adoration and contrition.
But because our human needs may be urgent, so petitions will be what we will usually have recourse to.
In the 1st reading, Hannah offered her only son Samuel to the Lord, with thanksgiving, worship and sacrifice.
She had prayed for a son, and God blessed her with Samuel, and in turn she offered Samuel back to the Lord.
What Hannah did would certainly make us think of our attitude when it comes to giving thanks to God for prayers answered.
Also we would wait for prayers to be answered before we give thanks.
As for Mary, she praised God even though there was much anxiety and uncertainty at that point in her life.
So even as we offer up our petitions, let us join Mary to give glory and praise to God.
And the Lord our God will do great things for us.