12.1.5. ANNA SERVED WITH SELF-DENYING PRAYER

Luke 2:37 "... but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."

By remaining a widow Anna was able to devote her time to serving God in "fasting and prayers". Paul gave helpful teaching for those who chose to remain single. He reasons that the unmarried state can be better than the married, in being able to give undistracted service to God (1 Corinthians 7:32-35 ).

	Fasting is a voluntary going without food and drink, or to limit intake. It is wrong to use fasting for boasting and strife (Isaiah 58:4 ).
	Fasting is intended to be disciplined self-denial in order to benefit those in need (Isaiah 58:6-7 ).
	Fasting humbles the soul before God, and further humbling when those we bless turn against us (Psalm 35:13 ).
	Fasting to earn good favour is not scriptural - God gives all by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9 ).
	Fasting relieves from distractions that hinder concentration, and intensifies prayer.
	Fasting and prayer are exercises that aid each other, and need to be practiced together.
	Fasting can issue from absorption in prayer. Probably this is what happened to Anna again and again.

Widows who persist in "prayers night and day" deserve the deep respect of the Church (1 Timothy 5:5 ).Leaders can witness to being greatly helped in their labours by those who prayed for them. Like Paul they frequently ask for prayer on their behalf (Romans 15:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 1:19; Colossians 4:3-4). Their time spent with the Lord of the harvest, asking, brings His promised response - labourers are sent into fruitful fields (Matthew 9:38 ).

Amazing things take place in the local fellowship because of those who devote themselves to prayer made in the name of Jesus (John 14:13 ). To pray in His name is to request what Jesus Himself would ask. That means asking for what is in harmony with His person, character, and what He wills. Present day Annas who devote their lives to obeying, loving and pleasing God, become effective intercessors (1 John 3:22 ). This is only possible because they live their life in Jesus, who lives His life in them in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 John 3:24; Romans 8:26-28 ).

Luke 2:38 "And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, ..."

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Prompted By The Spirit "... She Coming In That Instant ..."

She was obedient to the prompting of the Spirit of God. She followed to where she was aware the Spirit was active. She had developed a sensitivity to the moving of the Spirit. When He prompted she yielded.

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Punctual In The Spirit "... That Instant ..."

In step with the Spirit of God, she not only arrived at the place where God wanted her to be, she was there at the time God wanted her to arrive. Punctuality in the Spirit is something that is characteristic of those who continually wait on the Lord.

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Praise In The Spirit "... Gave Thanks Likewise ..."

"Likewise" refers to Simeon's prophetic thanksgiving (Luke 2:25-35 ). Anna followed suit in prophetic praise to the Lord for the gift of His Son. Will your heart overflow with thanksgiving at the coming again of the Lord Jesus? Singing hearts now will be singing hearts then (Ephesians 5:19; Revelation 5:9-10 ). Anna's example of ministry in the Spirit contains some excellent pointers for women to exercise the spiritual gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:3 ).

Luke 2:38 "... and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

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Anna Shared Good News With Others

There were others like herself who were not carried away with the evil and hypocrisy of the day. Her witness, like that of Simeon, was that she had seen God's salvation (Luke 2:30 ) in the Person of the given Son (Isaiah 9:6 ). Her testimony was validated by a life lived unspotted by the world and long, patient years of waiting for the fulfilment of promise.

It is important to our testimony to salvation that our faith and conduct harmonise.

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Anna Shared Good News About Redemption

"Looked for" (Greek prosdechomai) implies a waiting with confidence as those who accepted the deliverance hoped for. Looking for redemption indicated faith's dependence on the intervention of another to accomplish redemption. The word "redemption" (Greek lutosis) refers to the person delivered; to the act of freeing, releasing, deliverance. In the New Testament this word "redemption" is used three times.

	It is used in the prophecy of Zechariah, who sees the advent as God's visitation and redemption as, in the purpose of God, accomplished (Luke 1:68; 1 Peter 1:19-20 ).
	Then the word is used to describe those with whom Anna shared the news of the incarnation. They were those who anticipated by faith redemption's reality (Luke 2:38 ).
	The third use of the word refers to redemption from guilt and punishment, by the blood of Jesus offered once for all (not repeatedly), resulting in "eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12 ).

Redemption is the glorious message all believers (including godly widows) can confidently proclaim.

Here are some helpful points:

	Redemption is the message for Adam's sinful race (Romans 5:12 ).
	Redemption implies human helplessness (Romans 3:23 ).
	Redemption comes through the action of another: Planned, (Revelation 13:8 ); Prophesied, (Isaiah 53:4-5 ); Provided, (John 3:16 ).
	Redemption is based on the finished work of Christ Jesus (Galatians 4:4-5; Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 19:30 ).
	Redemption is received and lived by faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Ephesians 2:8 ).
	Redemption is a release from all wickedness (Titus 2:14a ).
	Redemption frees from sin's power, and obligates right living (Romans 6:12-14 ).
	Redemption is intended to cleanse so that we can serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14; Titus 2:14 ).
	Redemption in perfection will impact us in the resurrection (Romans 8:18-39; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58 ).

Widows who live in close communion with the Lord, proclaim redemption by their victorious living, their vocalised testimony, and validated expectancy of the Lord's return.