A Forgotten Widow Sees Her Prayer Answered
An encouraging lesson in persistent praying
For years I have traveled and spent time in small prayer groups. I am constantly amazed—but not surprised anymore, by the prayers of the elderly. In every group there seems to be at least one person who doesn’t pray like anyone else in the room.
Listening to them plead with the Lord, you hear their heart, their humility, their intimacy, their dependency. You can tell they have spent hours, years, in the prayer closet, interceding for others.
I am always grateful for these times and these people. They remind me of one such person found in the Scriptures. She’s likely in the hall of fame for intercessors, if there was such a thing.
Prayer Insights … from an old widow
We find a story of a particular widow told to us in Luke chapter two, and hear how she actually saw the answer to her prayers.
This widow was in Jerusalem, and after being married for seven years was then widowed. Some say for 60 years (others say 84 years) she was in the temple worshiping, fasting and praying.
One day, as was the custom, Joseph and Mary brought their baby boy, to the temple to present him to the Lord. Now the widow Anna, who did not depart from the temple, (v. 37) but served God with fastings and prayers night and day — And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Here is his widow, all but forgotten by everyone who comes and goes in the temple. She is seen by others, but perhaps had few friends, scarce resources, no personal belongings, and all she does is pray. Pray?
She’s just serving the Lord, and not in any official capacity. Just praying.
We are not told that Anna was specifically praying for the Savior, but it certainly seems likely since Simeon who was also there was waiting for one, and Anna spoke to those who looked for redemption.
Simeon was waiting for the promise of God to see the Lord’s Christ (v. 26). And he did.
But it is most interesting to me that, while Anna was praying — she was allowed to see the One who was the answer to prayers!
We are told she was a prophetess, so perhaps she knew from the Lord of a promised Messiah. Perhaps it was the specific way and time she told of Him to those looking for the redemption. We know she had known pain and loss, but had not become bitter, but instead became a woman of worship and of prayer.
Anna must have been in prayers beyond the usual public times of worship and prayer in the temple. She must have devoted herself to plenty of private prayer time - night and day, and lived always in a praying frame of mind; she lived a life of prayer, giving herself to praying and perhaps intercessions for others. All this in service to the Lord.
I like to believe it’s possible that Anna seeing the Messiah was her reward for her faithful service in the temple and devotion to worship and prayer. She saw her answer, Emmanuel—God with us, in the flesh as a babe.
In Matthew 6:6 Jesus says, But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
This forgotten widow—forever remembered to us for her humility, faithfulness, and persistence, is a huge encouragement to me. May she be for you as well.
Let us be encouraged to always pray and never give up!
Please Like to encourage me, and please share to encourage others!
