THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF ANNA - Text: Luke 2:36-38

 “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. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36–38) 

The story of Anna is contained only three small verses of the Scripture, but contained in this brief account of her life are several significant principles to guide us in becoming a more effective witness for Christ.

From these three verses in Luke, the following is known of Anna:

She was a prophetess. She was a daughter of Phanuel. She was a member of the tribe of Asher. She was widowed after seven years of marriage (her husband is not named). She was a devout Asherite Hebrew who regularly practiced prayer and fasting. Luke describes Anna as "very old“ and she was 84 years old.

I. Anna Practice Holiness

a. The first lesson revealed in the text is that Anna practiced a life of purity. The text says she was a prophetess, she fasted and prayed, and she never left the temple. The KJV contains an additional phrase, "she lived with her husband seven years from her virginity." All these references reveal that Anna lived a separated or holy life.

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy instructing him, "If a man cleanses himself he will be a vessel of honour, made holy, useful to the master and prepared for every good work." (2 Tim. 2: 21,22).  NIV

This psalm teaches us what it means to stand in holy places. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” – Psalms 24:3, 4  KJV

Our Psalmist says as we are worshipping God we stand in holiness. We need to have clean hands a pure heart and not living in vanity and deceitfully lifestyle.

II. Anna Pray Consistently

a. The biographical account of Anna reveals that she was a prayer warrior who prayed night and day. When God chose a handful of believers who testified at His Son's birth, God chose someone who prayed. Through prayer she gained an insight that many failed to grasp.

b. Anna’s Prayer and Fasting: She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.  Jesus gave His disciples authority to cast out demons but one day they came upon a possessed man and they could not make the demons leave. Perplexed they asked their master what was wrong and He told them that “this kind” only comes out through prayer and fasting.

Anna. Instead of turning her ministry over to the younger generation, Anna was like the righteous people described in Psalm 92:14, who “still bear fruit in old age; are ever full of sap and green.” (fruits are fresh and flourishing)

c. Anna prayed and God used her to tell others about Christ. We should follow her example. The Scripture says she spoke to all who were looking for redemption (v.38). II am convinced that she told people for whom she had been praying.

III. Anna Persevere Patiently

Anna’s example also invites us to pray for the Lord’s appearing, not as a baby this time but as the triumphant King. In the discouragement of exile, we need to fix our eyes on Jesus—looking expectantly for his work in the world now and for his final revelation one day soon. Like the saints of old, we keep praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).

This Verse Leads Us to Ask the Lord to Come Quickly

In light of this scene, we pray it today over and over again in the rest of Revelation 22:1–5. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. We long for the day, when we will see your face, we will be with you, you as our light. And we will reign with you, Lord Jesus. Amen!

IV. What I've learned from Anna?

         She didn't give up. There have been times in our ministry that we                          could have given up.

        She did what God told her to do. Obedience

        She taught me about being strong.

        God provided for Anna.

        Fasting produces results.

        She was committed.

        She had a lot of courage.

        She was a strong witness for Christ. 

So be strong in the strength and might of the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you all.