There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 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 22:36-38
“The second prophetic witness in this section of Luke is Anna. She is merely introduced and her career is summarized…having served faithfully with worship, prayer, and fasting for years. Sometimes our most productive years in spiritual service for God come after our most productive years of earthly toil. She has given herself full-time to a ministry of intercession. Like Simeon, she hopes the “the redemption of Jerusalem” and tells others that the baby Jesus is a reason for praising and thanking God. While her words are not recorded in Luke, her testimony makes everyone aware that God is doing something special in this child. Those who are faithful to God will hear her report and share in her praise.”
Darrell L Bock in Luke (NIVAC; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996) 92-93.
While Simeon was expectant, Anna was a fixture. She never left the temple but served there night and day with worship, prayer, and fasting for years. What a legacy!
The most generous thing we can do sometimes is show up faithfully. When someone is a fixture, they become a role model for everyone else.
Worship, prayer, and fasting is our humble and generous service. It does not appear to make a difference, but God sees, hears, and acts in response.
Waiting for redemption? Feel like life have left you without hope? Focus not on your woes or your situation but on worship, prayer, and fasting and see what happens.
It just might transform you and cause those around you to break out in praise!