As you settle into your seat,
Allow your latest prayers to come to mind.
What is something you've prayed and are awaiting an answer?
What's something you've cried out to God for but seems there hasn't been an answer?
Keep that in mind as I read this verse about Zachariah from the book of Luke.
Luke chapter 1 verse 5 through 13.
In the time of Herod,
King of Judea,
There was a priest named Zachariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah.
His wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God,
Observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly.
But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive,
And they were both very old.
Once,
When Zachariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
He was chosen by Lot,
According to the custom of the priesthood,
To go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
And when the time for the burning of incense came,
All the assembled worshippers were praying outside.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him,
Standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
When Zachariah saw him,
He was startled and was gripped with fear.
But the angel said to him,
Do not be afraid,
Zachariah.
Your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
And you are to call him John.
Listen to this one more time.
But the angel said to him,
Do not be afraid,
Zachariah.
Your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
And you are to call him John.
When you pray,
God hears you.
He doesn't tell us to fear,
Or to worry,
Or to try to consider the answer.
We shouldn't consider how the response will come and when it will arrive.
He tells us to pray.
To pray without ceasing.
To maintain hope in him.
That if it's not yet answered,
He's not done.
So before we end our time together,
Take a moment to speak your prayer again.
To revive it.
To recite it.
To retain it.
Because if it's not answered,
He's not done.
Never cease praying,
And trust that God hears you when you do.
