Thoughts for the Day

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

(Church in Wales lectionary, from New Revised Standard version)

Thoughts

During their time in the Temple with the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph come across the prophet Anna. She recognises the child as the one who was to come and save his people, ie the Messiah. Filled with the Holy Spirit, she spends her days in prayer and meditation. It is this that allows her to see what others are too blind to see - that God is in His world, already acting to bring His people back to Himself.

Forty years ago when I went away to a Selection Conference to see if the Church would accept me to train as a Deaconess (there were no women priests then), an elderly clergyman asked me to tell him about my prayer life. I explained that it was over the washing-up, or in the bath. He probably had a fit! A busy working Mum I had almost no other time on my own.

Keeping close to God means spending time with Him and allowing Him to help us change our life. This isn't easy, but taking all our worries and concerns to God does work! Give it a try! And if you live alone then pray for all who are too busy to pray - this is a huge ministry.

Heavenly Father,
help us to grow closer to You;
to learn to listen to Your
still, small voice:
that we may change
the way we live,
and become responsive
to Your voice.
Amen.