Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation. 

Today’s devotion was written by Marge Webb.

“There was a prophet, Anna, of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and praying night and day” (Luke 2:36-38 NRSV).

I love the story of Anna. After only seven years of marriage, she spent the rest of her life fasting and praying in the temple, hoping to see the Messiah before she died. 

Some scholars believe the original scriptures reveal that she was age 84 when she witnessed the circumcision of the Christ child, and some believe it was 84 years after her husband died. Whichever is true, she worshiped, fasted, and prayed for many years.

If women in Anna’s day were anything like us, do you suppose they stopped by the temple to visit? I imagine the conversation to be, “Here, Anna. I have baked a fresh loaf of bread for you. I am troubled. Would you pray for me?”

It is easy to believe that someone who prayed day and night would have a gentle and quiet spirit. Anna would be the person you would want to pray with you. The only characteristic mentioned was that she prayed. She must have had the fruit of gentleness in her life.

Do you know someone like that? Many of us have a person in our lives who we call or text when we need prayer. I have a group of friends with whom I have prayed for twenty-plus years. We know each other’s families and hearts. 

OhSoFree Ministries has a dynamic online prayer and chat group. If you haven’t already done so, you should join us. These prayer warriors want to lift you up in prayer.

Has your life taken a turn, making your journey difficult and tiring? God sees your circumstances and the cry of your heart today. I encourage you to find a friend with a gentle spirit like Anna to pray with you.

Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OHSOFREE Ministries, please visit us at www.ohsofreeministries.com.