Mothers of the Bibleනියැදිය

Anna: A Life of Worship

She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. —Luke 2:37, NIV

In Luke 2, we meet a remarkable woman named Anna, who is one of the few women in the Bible described as a prophetess. Luke says that she “never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:37, NIV). Though her presence in Scripture is brief, her story carries profound significance.

Anna lived during the Second Temple period, a time marked by Roman occupation and Israel’s longing for the Messiah. As a widow after only seven years of marriage, Anna faced immense personal loss and likely endured the social vulnerabilities that came with widowhood in ancient Jewish culture. Instead of allowing her circumstances to define her, Anna chose to dedicate her life to worshipping God. She remained in the temple, fasting and praying, embodying the meaning of true faithfulness over decades.

Anna was in old age when the infant Jesus was brought to the temple. Her heart, shaped by years of communion with God, immediately recognized him as the Messiah. Her story is a testament to how a life centered on prayer and worship enables spiritual discernment and equips us to recognize God’s work in our lives. Anna’s response was to praise God and share the news with others, demonstrating that worship is not only personal but also missional—it draws us closer to God and inspires us to share his truth and make disciples.

Anna’s life teaches us that devotion to God shapes not only our spiritual lives but the lives of our children too. In the busyness of parenting, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the competing demands for our time and attention—helping with math homework, managing an abyss of laundry, preparing lunch boxes, and responding to the constant needs and questions of our children. Yet Anna’s story shows us that prayer and worship are not distractions from life’s responsibilities: They are the source of the strength, wisdom and peace we need to fulfill them.

Challenge: Today, take inspiration from Anna’s faithfulness and spend 10 extra minutes in prayer or worship. Whether it’s enjoying your morning in quiet reflection, singing a hymn or praying over your family, offer this time to God and invite him to work in and through your life. And believe this, mama: Your devotion can create a ripple effect of faith that inspires your children and generations to come.