Your Prayer Has Been Heard

November 3

(Luke 1:8-13 NIV) ““Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, {9} he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. {10} And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. {11} Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. {12} When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. {13} But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.””

(Philippians 4:6-7 NIV) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. {7} And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

(Galatians 6:9 NIV) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Offering incense in the temple was a most honorable task. The chosen priest would enter as the others outside offered prayers of intercession. The incense was put onto the fire, and as the aroma rose to heaven, hopefully it would make their prayers more pleasing to God. On this fateful day, Zechariah drew the lot to offer incense. Because there were so many priests, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Little did Zechariah know that he would receive a “once in a lifetime” message from God. As he entered, an angel appeared, and told him that he was going to become a father in his old age. God was saying “Yes” to the prayers he and Elizabeth had lifted up for so many years. Christians, do not give up praying when your prayers are not answered quickly. Persist in prayer. Your prayers have been heard. It’s just that God’s timing is always better than ours. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day