ADVENT DAY 2: Dec. 2
Luke 1:12-15a
Zechariah and Elizabeth
12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John (God is gracious). 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. ESV
Steadfastness in Prayer
By Joe Gonyea
Why do you think Zechariah was troubled when the angel came to visit him? The news the angel brought was supposed to be joyful. The very prayers Zechariah had prayed were finally being answered. Yet he was afraid. I think the timing was not what Zechariah and Elizabeth had expected, and maybe he had given up on their dream. Maybe he prayed those prayers years ago and stopped asking, or maybe he kept praying them out of habit without really expecting God to show up. Either way, he was shocked to see that his prayer was actually being answered.
Are there things in your life that you used to pray for but have since let fall to the ground? Maybe God wants to revive some of those prayers you have given up on. Do not be troubled. God hears you even when He does not answer right away.
Prayer:
God, when I pray, lift my heart above being troubled and afraid. Help me to really let my prayers go over to you and to give up grasping and second-guessing. Don’t let the answers I expect keep me from being open to your surprises. In Jesus your Son our Lord, Amen.
