Luke 2:37
Anna here was one woman with amazing patience! I'm talking babysit 100 children who are whining and crying at the same time and still able to be at peace.
She wasn't the type of woman who had a problem with time management and it wasn't because she owned a blackberry. She had no job or family. Her schedule was virtually clear and gave her time to do the most important things.
Back in the day, you'd find Anna in the temple of Jerusalem. In fact, you wouldn't bother looking anywhere else. The temple became her home, and for most of her life, prayer was her occupation. Each day she would faithfully pray that God's kingdom would come and that the Messiah would come to Jerusalem.
Anna became a widow at a young age, so she took up worship, prayer and fasting inside the temple walls. She prayed for 10 years, the 20... then 40 years... then 50 and perhaps 60... still she waited for the Messiah.
At the ripe old age of 84, Anne was in the temple court when she heard a joyful announcement. A man named Simeon was holding up a tiny baby (Jesus), proclaiming that the salvation of Israel had come. At last, her prayers were answered! Anna gave thanks and told all who would listen about the Messiah.
Her amazing patience may leave you dumbfounded. Think of the times you've prayed and asked God for something- expecting an immediate answer, hoping for a quick fix. Why is it God would let Anna wait so long for an answer, and why does it seem he sometimes doesn't answer our prayers?
One thing Anna teaches us is to pray for God's will, not ours. She knew God had already promised a Messiah- and while she was praying, God was teaching her to trust him even with what she couldn't see. Do you pray for relationships to be mended, friends and family to come to Jesus and God to be first in your life? From the Bible we know those are the things God desires, too. Be faithful in prayer- and discover as Anna did, what patience can do.
Courtesy of Mirror images, Zondervan
So when I pray for tonight I'll be honest and admit I'd prefer a "quick fix"... but I will ask to be more like Anna, praying with patience and growing to trust God, more each day.
Athaliah is the next Lady like us... we'll look at her next week!
Anna became a widow at a young age, so she took up worship, prayer and fasting inside the temple walls. She prayed for 10 years, the 20... then 40 years... then 50 and perhaps 60... still she waited for the Messiah.
At the ripe old age of 84, Anne was in the temple court when she heard a joyful announcement. A man named Simeon was holding up a tiny baby (Jesus), proclaiming that the salvation of Israel had come. At last, her prayers were answered! Anna gave thanks and told all who would listen about the Messiah.
Her amazing patience may leave you dumbfounded. Think of the times you've prayed and asked God for something- expecting an immediate answer, hoping for a quick fix. Why is it God would let Anna wait so long for an answer, and why does it seem he sometimes doesn't answer our prayers?
One thing Anna teaches us is to pray for God's will, not ours. She knew God had already promised a Messiah- and while she was praying, God was teaching her to trust him even with what she couldn't see. Do you pray for relationships to be mended, friends and family to come to Jesus and God to be first in your life? From the Bible we know those are the things God desires, too. Be faithful in prayer- and discover as Anna did, what patience can do.
Courtesy of Mirror images, Zondervan
So when I pray for tonight I'll be honest and admit I'd prefer a "quick fix"... but I will ask to be more like Anna, praying with patience and growing to trust God, more each day.
Athaliah is the next Lady like us... we'll look at her next week!
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