Meet prophetess Anna, a Christmas prayer warrior
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the Temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day (Luke 2:36–37 ESV)
![Prayer inertia showing a old woman waiting to pray](https://patrickoben.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/prayer-inertia.jpg)
Jesus’ birth was a fulfillment of the prophetic word spoken thousand of years earlier by the prophets. However, many of us do not realize those prophetic words had to be prayed into manifestation. God had prayer warriors in the Temple who were praying day and night before, during, and after the birth of Jesus. One of them was prophetess Anna, mentioned above.
She is one of those little known behind-the-scene warriors of Christmas. After seven years of marriage, she lost her husband, and she remained a widow in the Temple, worshiping, praying, and fasting. There was another man of God called Simeon, who was waiting for Jesus to be born in the Temple. In fact, the Spirit of God had told him he would not die until he saw the Messiah ( Luke 2:25-26).
Christmas was declared in prophecy and brought to fulfillment by prayer. Many of you reading this devotional are pregnant with prophetic words and God’s plans for you. Pray that prophecy to fulfillment.
MEDITATE
Do you think Anna and Simeon knew by the Spirit that the time of the Messiah to be born was at hand? The High Priests, Pharisees, doctors of the law, etc., certainly had no clue, but those in the Spirit knew the hour.
APPLY THE WORD
For Jesus to be born, Anna and Simeon were praying for God’s will to be fulfilled. Well, do not sit back and wait for God to raise someone from somewhere to pray you into your destiny. You are the primary intercessor for your destiny and future. Engage in prayer as you have never done before!
PRAY
Ask the Spirit for a fresh breath of the wind of pray during this season of Christmas.
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