Anna: Prophecy for Today's Church

And there was a prophetess, Anna … 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

            Anna was a prophet. Paul tells us in 1Corinthians 14 that a prophet is one who discerns God’s movement for the purpose of building up, encouraging and consoling the church. Anna spent her days and nights in worship. Through prayer and fasting she continuously sought the Lord’s Presence and indication of where He was working, never leaving the Temple.So when Joseph and Mary brought the Christ babe into the Temple, Anna recognized Him at once.

            Years later when their young son went “missing,” Jesus’ parents would find him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers. When they expressed their concern about it, he replied, where else would I be? You know that I must be in my Father’s house. (See Luke 2:41-50)

            Sometimes we get frustrated with “church” and think we can worship and serve God on our own. But the church must be a necessary part of our life if we are truly going to be Christ followers. Yes, the church can be filled with disappointment, strange agendas, hypocrites, and hurtfulness, but as someone once said, if you find the perfect church don’t go there – you’ll ruin it!  Maybe instead of looking so hard at the problems in our churches, we should start looking harder to find Christ going about His Father’s business in His Father’s House.

Let’s Do Something About It:

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians,

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. … the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation... So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.  1Corinthians 14:1,3, 12

·      Spend some time today asking the Holy Spirit to show you where your attitude regarding the condition of The Church may be out of line with God’s Will for His Body.

·      Ask God to show you how you can be a source and presence of love, mercy, and healing in your church today.