Read: Luke 2:36-38
She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. (v. 37)
Although not the intent of Anna’s story in Luke, I feel undone at the lukewarm faith I live after only three short verses. A woman of tragic loss draws near to God. Widowed in her youth, she finds a home and a husband in the temple. She never leaves his house, but worships with fasting and prayer night and day. No wonder the God she adores hears her voice, giving her prophetic words straight from heaven about the baby she gets to see, Jesus, and the redemption he will bring.
Many years later, that child grows up and teaches his followers that prayer isn’t about meaningless repetition, but meaningful connection. It’s a connection that sustains him, so he doesn’t just teach it, he rises early and seeks out the “lonely places” while others are still sleeping. (Luke 5:16 NIV) And Jesus follows Anna’s diligent example right into eternity, where Scripture tells us that he lives to intercede on behalf of those who come through him to the Father, night and day (Heb. 7:25). He lives to pray, like Anna.
Christ’s advent opens the door for a new intimacy between God and humans, which, if we pursue, will make us more like Anna and Jesus too: sharing conversations with the King that are so necessary we treat them like the best gift ever: rising early, staying up late, and enjoying it night and day.
Prayer: Giver of good gifts, thank you for prayer, that gift of conversation between the Holy and mere mortals. Thank you for the Annas of the world that set an example for the power of prayer and worship. And thank you for Jesus, who prays for us night and day!
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Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
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