Anna, Prayer Continued

This Week’s Scripture: Luke 2:21-40 NIV

My Comments: I had thought I’d be writing something on God’s promises today but as I sit here my thoughts are drawn toward prayer.

Prayer was so important to Anna. I can imagine she poured her heart out to God. She listened and waited for His response. She worshiped Him continually. She was thankful and filled with joy and peace knowing she could trust God for her every need. She also knew what He had promised, He would deliver. She knew that through her experiences living life fully committed to Him.

When prayer becomes a part of a gathering, I have noticed people who are not used to praying with other people. You can see their discomfort with a sinking of their body. Some look for the nearest door and hesitantly give some reason for needing to suddenly leave. Others weakly begin to apologize for not knowing how to “pray right”. They have a panicked feeling that something will happen to them if they don’t “pray right.”

I feel for them as I was one of them. I still feel uncomfortable in certain prayer situations. I’m not really sure why it happens. I just feel intimidated. I lose focus and struggle with what to say and end up chopping my thoughts. Through the years I have learned that pausing and remembering who I am talking to helps me through. I shut everything else out. When I focus on Him letting the thoughts of my heart flow I open up to hearing the prayers of others. God is helping me work on this.

For me, personal prayer is very comforting. I know God isn’t looking for the right words or an order to my prayer. I know He just wants to hear what is on my heart and mind. He wants me to listen and I want to hear what He wants me to know. I look forward to our talks especially when days are not running smoothly. Talking with Him is very freeing. Our relationship grows with each quiet time we share.

Anna prayed to see Christ! God heard; God answered. Remember she waited 84 years! When we pray, we may not get what we request. God may answer with what we ask for, or He may give us something else that is better for us. He might not seem to answer. It may not be the right time for an answer. But God will always answer…in His time and what is best for us.

As we talk with God, He will draw us deeper into a relationship with Him. He will let us know that He hears us, that He will take care of us, love us, guide us, and give us peace and comfort. He wants us to come to Him, and want to spend time with Him. He is pleased when we turn to Him, so He can bless us with His loving promises.

If our prayers are awkward or pitiful we can be assured that He doesn’t mind. He is glad we are there with Him. He wants to listen to our hearts.

Today's Scripture Thought: Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4


Summary of Scripture Thoughts for this week:

Monday: He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3 NIV)

Tuesday: Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38 NIV)

Wednesday: Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (John 4:23)

Thursday: Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (Romans 12:11)

Friday: Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Anna, An Example From the Past

This Week’s Scripture: Luke 2:21-40 NIV

My Comments: Have you noticed the Scripture quoted in the right column of my blog? For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

I have enjoyed time thinking and writing on some of the remarkable people in the Scriptures. I have learned a lot from their examples of faith. Anna has been particularly special as she came alive to me within very few words. What a wonderful example of faith and obedience she is!

Although Anna lived a long time ago, she has taught me what happens when someone completely surrenders their life to God. Anna experienced peace, joy, love and victory in her life. God met all of her needs and gave purpose to her life. Anna saw Jesus Christ face to face in her lifetime! God kept His promise giving her the greatest blessing of all.

Can you see why Anna had to tell others? God’s love overflowed within her. She had to let it touch those around her. She needed to give them the hope she had and to know about the Hope that had arrived.

Each of us has a story of how God has taken care of us. How has He called you to trust and obey Him? What example of faith and obedience can you share with those who God puts around you? Who needs to hear about the Hope that will set them free?
Let God’s love overflow in you as it did in Anna!


Today’s Scripture Thought: Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11

Anna, A Life Filled With God

This Week’s Scripture: Luke 2:21-40 NIV

My Thoughts: I am humbled and fascinated by Anna’s passionate worship. It was a lifetime commitment to praise and worship God from an ordinary person unaware that God had an extraordinary plan. She opened herself to be used by God. I keep thinking of her praying, fasting and worshiping through every day. The joy she must have experienced spending time with God in the way she did!

Anna filled her days, pretty much her whole lifetime with God! God was all she needed. Anna didn’t merely go through the motions of worship when she felt she needed to be close to God or celebrate special occasions. Anna worshiped God in spite of what was going on in her life. As Anna grew from a young woman to an elderly woman I’m sure she had a lot going on in her mind and body. Because of her faith, prayers, and obedience, God provided for her and allowed her to be a part of what He was doing.

The Spirit opened Anna’s eyes to see and recognize Jesus Christ which further shows that she was certainly a woman of God. God brought Anna and Christ together for a purpose. What did she immediately do when she saw Jesus? She began to praise God for the Messiah. She began to witness about Jesus to those around her right away, right when she met Him! She was not afraid to tell others about Christ and the salvation He would bring. God was working in and through Anna powerfully because she was a willing servant.

Anna’s story fills me with hope. The simple acts of faith, prayer, and obedience is what God is looking to find in my life; living a life as a child of God walking, worshiping and telling others of the freedom Christ can give them. I am definitely a work in progress. But I know God is seeking me as I am seeking Him. Knowing that is what fills me with hope.

Scripture for Today: Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth,for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4:23

Anna, A Witness

This Week’s Scripture: Luke 2:21-40 NIV

My Comments: Anna, no doubt, knew all the Old Testament writings regarding the coming of the promised Messiah. Can you imagine? For most of Anna’s 84 years on earth she waited to see the Lord. It was her heart’s supreme desire. She persevered in worship, fasting, and prayer night and day, year after year. She believed and trusted that God would do what He said He would do.

Then, one day, the Messiah was right in front of Anna. Even though He was a tiny baby, she recognized Him. The time of waiting was over. What joy must have overcome her heart! Did Anna dare touch Him or hold Him in her arms? Did she speak to Mary and Joseph? We are left only with her, “coming up to them at that very moment”.

I look forward to the joyful celebrations remembering the birth of Jesus every year at Christmas. I can’t imagine waiting almost 84 years to celebrate the arrival of the Good News!

Anna gave thanks and witnessed to everyone who was looking for the Savior who would redeem Jerusalem. She couldn’t possibly keep this news to herself. I wonder what she said and if the people believed her? I have no doubt that some people thought Anna was a crazy old lady. However I think of those who did recognize the truths she spoke and were speechless over what she was saying. What an unbelievable day realizing that the Savior was alive on earth!

Anna waited a long time to come face to face with Jesus. Because of her lifetime of worship, Anna recognized that God’s Promise had arrived as an infant being presented at the temple. Oh, that I could be assured of such a relationship with our Lord! Would I recognize Him? Will I recognize Him when He returns? This is my hope and prayer.

It sometimes takes a long time for someone to see and accept Christ in their life. I remember my grandmother and my mother sharing stories with each other. They didn’t believe in coincidences. It was always referred to as God’s work. They recited favorite verses and sang hymns as they worked around the house. They taught me a lot about the Lord’s presence, prayer, and worship by the way they lived their lives. Do you recognize the Lord’s presence in your life? Do you share God’s love with someone by the way you live? You may not be an Anna but your story can make a difference in someone’s life.

Anna’s entry into Scripture is small and has been retold for 2000 years. I have learned a lot from her story for living my life today regarding prayer and worship, perseverance and trust in the Lord.

Today’s Scripture Thought: Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38 NIV)

Anna, A Life Devoted to Him

This week’s Scripture: Luke 2:21-40 NIV

My Thoughts: After reading today’s Scripture several times, I can’t help but wonder about the words introducing Anna into the happenings: “There was also……Anna.” It was like Anna just happened to be in the temple at the time. The truth is that Anna was a familiar person in the temple.

This week I’m spending time getting to know Anna.

Anna had been a widow for most of her 84 years. She may have lived in one of the rooms in Herod’s temple. We do know that Anna “never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” (v. 37) She had nothing to do but worship all day!

I try to always keep prayer and devotions at the beginning of my day before things begin to happen. Like everyone else, my days are crowded with activity. I am doing better at making time for studying Scripture DURING each day. Writing for this blog has certainly helped me stay focused and accountable for spending time in God’s Word each day. I cannot comprehend living a life so free that it could be totally devoted to worship and prayer!

Anna was married for seven years. She and her husband had no children. After only seven years of marriage her husband died. I can only imagine the anguish that Anna must have experienced. In the Jewish tradition she could have returned to her family or a husband’s brother might have taken on the responsibility of marrying her to provide for her and honor his brother. It’s not known what choices Anna had from the Scripture. We do know she chose to turn completely to God.

Instead of taking on an attitude of hopelessness and grief, Anna dedicated her life to God giving Him more attention than herself. I think Anna’s pain was so great that she knew only God could heal her hurts. She was more than willing to trust God to provide for her needs. God provided well for her as she lived a long time!

My heart is humbled by Anna’s devotion to praise and worship God; her trust in Him! Fasting and praying, fasting and praying. She waited patiently trusting that one day she would meet the promised Messiah.

Anna did not let her traumatic circumstances change her faith or her love for the Lord. She put God first and God honored her faith.

From Anna we can see that nothing should get in the way of worshiping God and accepting Jesus. There are no mistakes, sins or life situations that we can not overcome with His help.

Scripture I am thinking on today: He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3 NIV)