Anna

ANNA

The Prophetess

Scripture References: Luke 2:36-38

ABOUT HER

Anna was:

• daughter of Phanuel
• of the tribe of Asher
• an elderly woman
• a widow
• childless
• the prophetess of the New Testament (those called prophetesses in the Old Testament were Miriam, Deborah, Huldah)
• a prayer warrior

Anna’s name means “favor” or “grace”

HER LIFE CIRCUMSTANCE

We are only given a brief description of her story. Anna became a widow at a young age and she had no children.

There are things in life that we cannot prevent from happening. We cannot choose all of our life circumstances but we can choose how we respond to them.

*Read quote from “She walked with Jesus” p. 56-57

“Sorrow can produce bitterness and resentment, but sorrow can also produce faith, peace and purpose. Out of sorrow there can come serenity, graciousness and a steadfast faith, and a closeness to God that nothing else can bring if a woman chooses to give her sorrow to God. Anna did this. Piece by piece, she gave her broken heart to God.” -Brenda Poinsett

Something to ponder: What were Anna’s childhood dreams that she would never see come to pass?

Anna let God give her a new dream.

What was Anna’s secret to such a submitted and fruitful life? I believe it was that she lived life one day at a time.

Psalm 1:2 NKJV “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Read Psalm 19

Psalm 25:5 NIV “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

You get one life to live...how are you going to live it?

There are things in life that we cannot choose but do not let that paralyze you from choosing the things that you can.

HER PLACE

We each have a particular place in the Body of Christ and a specific calling. Anna fulfilled her purpose with a life of service in the temple.

A prophet is one who speaks forth the message of God. People with a prophetic gift are focused on meeting spiritual needs of others and encourage others to stay centered on spiritual principles. People with this spiritual gift tend to have a particular burden for intercession.

For further study into the gift of prophecy refer to these scriptures: Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 13:1-13 14:1-40; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Peter 1:21

“Jezebel, the self-styled and false prophetess is the only other one in the New Testament (Revelation 2:20) to bear this designation. Philip’s four daughters also prophesied (Acts 21:9).” -Herbert Lockyer

“In our modern era of specialized and educated leadership, it remains true that those who live a consecrated life are still the most fit guides to others. Only those who walk in the light of God’s presence, whether they are mothers in the home or women engaged in other activities, will shed the light of truth, peace and hope into the lives of others.” -Frances Vander Velde

HER MINISTRY

There are different seasons of life. The beauty of the women in the Body of Christ is we all get to be a part of each other’s life seasons.

“There is beauty and usefulness in old age, and even in middle age, that we do not generally appreciate. Most women dread middle age. How hard it is to relinquish youthful beauty and energy. Life is not over when the children grow up and leave home. For life as you have never enjoyed it -rich, broad and useful -may be just beginning! There is so much to do for others. There is always a drastic shortage of workers in the King’s business.” Frances Vander Velde

Psalm 92:12-15 ESV “The righteous flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

Imagine knowing Anna!

A woman filled with the Holy Spirit and sensitive to the Lord’s voice. What a blessing she must have been for the other women. The comfort she gave the other women in her prayers and fastings for them. Think of all the God stories she got to be a part of in the lives of others. By being dedicated to the Lord in prayer and in His service in the temple she got to be in on all the action of the Holy Spirit! Think of the power of her ministry to others and the confidence others were able to have in her as she was one constantly in prayer.

“How encouraging it is to meet those who through a long life have remained true to the Lord and whose gray hairs are honorable because of a life lived in the divine will, and who, when they pass away, are ready for glory.” -Herbert Lockyer

In the pain of her life circumstance she died to herself and her dreams and simply let God be her dream. Her life said, “Lord, YOU are my dream!”

“What an inspiration worshipers of this sort are to a faithful pastor who feels he can minister more freely when they are present because of their prayer support!” -Herbert Lockyer

The ministry of prayer is often overlooked because it is a hidden ministry and there isn’t any applause and praise for others to give us.

Prayer is our spiritual oxygen. When we go into another atmosphere we need to bring oxygen with us to survive. The Bible says we are “aliens” on this earth. We need prayer every moment of every day to spiritually survive.

HER WIDOWHOOD

Anna was a worthy widow.

1 Timothy 5:3, 5 ESV “Honor widows who are truly widows. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day”

Anna set the standard! She set the tone and gave the example for other widowed women to look at and follow.

“Perceivers [prophets] are truly the standard-bearers of the Church.” -Don and Katie Fortune, Discover Your God-Given Gifts

HER MISSION

We know Anna as the prophetess and prayer warrior but most of us do not know Anna as the missionary!

Luke 2:38 NLT “She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.”

In was in her daily duty that Anna was able to see with her own eyes the Christ child and her ministry took on a slightly different form.

HER LESSON TO US

She belonged to God.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does suffering increase our influence in serving others?
2. Name some blessing enjoyed by older people who have served the Lord throughout their lives.
3. What is something from Anna’s life you are personally touched by?