Malcolm Cox

Introduction Studying Anna for a sermon led me to some unexpected insights about her devotional life. It inspired me to put a multi-episode series together. The Text “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36–38 NIV11) What do we learn about Anna’s relationship with God? Her relationship with God was not diminished by her disappointments. Anna is described as a widow. As far as we know she had no children. There is no hint of bitterness in her life. Instead she takes delight in another mother’s child. How long it took her to get there we’ll never know, but perhaps her devotion was part of her healing. So