Anna’s marriage lasted only seven years and sorrow visited her home,  Anna’s husband died.  All of  her dreams of a family and children were suddenly gone.  Her friends constantly tried to get her to date after her mourning period was over. But something was happening on the inside of Anna and she could not explain it.  They did everything to get her to leave the temple but she refused.  She herself did not quite understand it all. But she was yielding daily to this tug at her heart.  Her husbands brothers were offended because the custom was that they would marry the widow and there by continuing the heritage of the brother.  But Anna was refusing to marry again.  The Lord would become her husband and provider.  She felt that God had given her his best and she would go on with just those memories of him and their last dance.  She gave her self to the Lord as his bondservant and continued to serve him in fasting, prayer and worship night and day.  It seemed almost seamless as she entered into this covenant  as an intercessor.  In the house of God, they called her a prophetess.  She was well-trained in the things of God and she could preach she had such understanding and insight into the things of God Her father Phanuel had noted it many times when she was growing up but hid the observation in his heart, because after all she was a girl.  The other children would be playing she would be lingering by him as he studied the Torah, asking many questions, beyond her years.  It was as though she understood the most profound things the Elders discussed.

Anna, remembered the words Jacob had spoken over her family and she cherished them. Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king”. Anna, continued to dine on the richness of God’s table for many years after her husband passed.  She had found refuge in his house of prayer and she gave herself to the ministry of the house in fasting, prayer and worship.  Her vow as a Nazarite  would be fully honored. He captivated her heart and it became all or nothing for her.  There would be no compromise for her she was totally his to intercede on the behalf of the salvation of Israel. He (the Lord) needed a Gap Closer as some would say an intercessor who would not turn back from this call but would see it to the end.  It would a life time commitment in the ministry of intercession.

Anna, would seek his face daily the one she had fallen so deeply in love with.  She would sit for hours at his feet discovering the deepest communion with her Lord through prayer and fasting.  Others were jealous, but they were not willing to spend the time.  He taught her so many things during those times of prayer. He would share his intimate secrets with her at the altar and she would hide them deep into her heart until they would be fulfilled.  He shared many secrets with her, even the coming of his eternal son.  And the very day Mary and Joseph came to dedicate him she would be there on her watch in the temple to see what her eyes had so longed to glaze upon, “The Son of God.”   It would be a day she would remember that her waiting had not been in vain.  That day he had turned all  of her earthly sorrow into unspeakable joy, because she waited.

We must learn how to wait and pray effectively for our families, our pastors and our leaders (presidents, governors etc.,) and all that are in authority. We have a promise from the Lord that if we pray, we will lead a peaceable life.

Imagine what would happen if the church was open 24/7 for prayer. Imagine what would happen, if women all across the globe would begin to “call upon the name of the Lord” for their children, neighbors and nation. Imagine what would happen if wives would begin to cry out for their husbands? Imagine what would happen if men, became “GAP CLOSERS”? Can God start with you? Can he depend on you to stand int the gap and take up the hedge? Can he depend on you to pray until something happens? (PUSH) The emphasis is on women and girls and I believe God is up to something. Are you available to watch and pray? Hannah was available and she received Samuel, Anna was available and she spent her life in the temple fasting and praying. What about you? Are you to busy to stand in the GAP?

Bow down and worship him at his throne.

Cast your cares upon him for he cares for you.

Delight yourself in him and he will give you the desires of your heart.

EVERLASTING arms protect us.

FEAR him.

GLORIFY him.

Honor him.

INCLINE your ears toward him.

JUSTIFIED before our Lord.

KEEP his commandments.

LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart mind and soul.

MAKE a joyful noise unto the Lord.

NOW is the time for salvation.

OPEN your mouth wide and he will fill it.

PRAISE him with your whole heart.

QUIETNESS will be your strength.

REST in his presence.

SING unto the LORD a new song.

TRUST in Him at ALL times.

UNDER the shadow of his wings we will hide.

VICTORY is ours when we pray.

WORSHIP him.

X

YIELD to him.

ZEAL of the Lord.

The woman at the well, was someone that had looked for love in all the wrong places.  Today somehow would be her day, and this one encounter with a man at a well would change the course of her life forever.  After the encounter she ran to tell everyone in her village that she had found someone who satisfied her emotional,  and spiritual longings though they only had a conversation.  The towns people were amazed because they knew her, but now something was different about her, there was a glow about her.  The looseness was no longer evident in her walk  or the seduction in her eyes.  Her brazeness was now soft and gentle.

Imagine, he took a four day journey out of his way to seek her and to change her life forever.   He did not seek to call her out and shame her, he  sought her out to heal her.  He knew that she would come to that well that day and he waited.   He was prepared for the questions she would ask, and the doubts she would share regarding true worship.  But he had the answers she had been looking for, for so long and today her life would be changed forever. She had been longing for that spiritual water for such along time and now today, he would forever change her life.

Perhaps today, is your day. Give him the opportunity he will listen and he will not condemn you.  He will meet you right where you are.  He still changes lives and maybe, just maybe if you give him the opportunity to speak into your life you too will have a story to tell how he  changed your life.  Will you let him in today?