ChangeMakers: Unsung Women of the Bible (Part 1)Намуна

Anna the Prophetess

When we think of the familiar Christmas story, we often think of Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, wise men, and, of course, baby Jesus. But there’s an important person who usually gets overlooked. Her name is Anna.

Anna, the Prophetess's brief interaction with baby Jesus, reveals a depth of faith that was as vital to the people in the temple that day as it is to us now.

To set the scene, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to complete the purification rites required by the law, as any other first-century Jewish family would. Then Anna enters, and we see the reward of her vibrant faith.

While others in the temple were focused on tradition, Anna saw redemption.

Where others saw a process, she saw the promise one.

Anna’s faithful fasting and prayer allowed her to see and sense what others couldn’t and, more importantly, to receive this blessing as a reality.

Jesus was 40 days old when Anna approached Him, a significant time frame throughout Scripture, often full of trials and testing ending in breakthrough or renewal. The text says she was an 84-year-old woman who had spent most of her life at the temple, anticipating the Messiah. While she waited, prayer and fasting were a regular rhythm of Anna's life, an expression of her worship. She eagerly awaited God to fulfill His promise of redemption to the people of Israel, and she didn't want to miss it!

Anna’s faithful waiting naturally transitioned into a powerful testimony as she began to preach to those around her. As a prophetess, she was given authority to speak boldly to the community, sharing the “good news that will cause great joy for all the people,” as stated in Luke 2:10. Just as the shepherds were led by the angel, Anna’s faith led her to this moment in the temple where she was able to see and declare the arrival of God's Son. And she spread the word of salvation to all who would listen.

In many ways, Anna’s faith mirrors our own, full of longing and expectation. We aren’t waiting for a Messiah, but we are often waiting for a promise or provision. Anna didn’t reserve her worship for the outcome but prayed and fasted without knowing when her breakthrough would come. Whether 40 days or 84 years, her faith reminds us that we can worship while we wait.

Prayer & Meditation

Throughout this plan, we will practice the spiritual formation rhythm of visio divina, a form of praying through art. Examine this painting of Anna by the famous artist Rembrandt. Use the image before you as a guide for prayer. Imagine you were in the temple that day with this woman; what would it be like to see her worship? Can you sense her faith through the photo? Invite God to speak to you in a deep way, using your sense of sight to pray about Anna’s faith as you strengthen your own.

Written by Hannah Rowen Fry

Photo Credit: The Prophetess Anna (known as 'Rembrandt's Mother') by Rembrandt