She served God with fastings and prayers

“And she was a widow of about fourscore and and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” - Luke 2v37

Dear old Anna. After a seven year marriage and eighty-four years of widowhood she was still a prophetess in the Temple. At least 104 and she was still faithfully serving God, and part of her service was fasting and prayer. When she saw Jesus she rejoiced and shared in proclaiming that this was the promised One Who came to redeem Israel.

After Zacharias’ prayer that we would serve God all the days of our lives we see Anna who was still serving the Lord at the age of at least 104. Do you think she ever got tried of waiting for the Messiah? Do you think she ever thought, “Okay, I really need some time for myself, its time for me to retire”? Perhaps she did, being human I would guess that those thoughts crossed her mind, but she just kept on going, day after day, night after night, serving, fasting, and praying.

Next time we get tired of serving, perhaps we should remember Anna!