Luke 2:36-40 – Anna

Anna is a wonderful example of a Godly woman. She is only married 7 years before she becomes a widow, and she spends 84 years as a widow. The trials and loneliness that go along with this must have been difficult, but she, by God’s grace, overcomes them all.

Anna is a woman who loves God’s house. She desires to be continually near Him in worship. Because of her desire to grow closer and closer to God, she practices great self-denial, fasting often. Through fasting she is reminding her body that God is the most important thing in her life. She knows the overwhelming tendency we have to put ourselves and what we want first in our priorities. Fasting is a practical way of reminding herself that God comes first.

But most of all, Anna is a woman of prayer. She prays night and day, constantly going before God. She’s never tired of coming to Him, pleading with Him on behalf of others, but most of all asking again and again that He will keep His promise and send the Messiah. For it is the Messiah, the hope of redemption, that those faithful believers left in Israel long. Day after day, night after night, Anna is praying that today will be the day that the Saviour will come. And God in His grace and love, let her see that day.

Here is one woman who prays earnestly for one thing, and it is fulfiled right before her eyes. Imagine what would happen if we, as a church, prayed earnestly night and day for God to keep His promise of building His Church. What great fulfilment might we see right before our eyes?

Questions
1. What kind of woman was Anna?
2. What did she pray for?
3. What promise has God given us?

Prayer Points
1. Pray for Christ to build His Church in our town.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.