"But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,
Zechariah; your prayer has been heard."
{Luke 1:13} (NIV1984)
What was Zechariah’s
prayer? It seems, because of the verse that follows, that Zechariah had been
praying for his wife to have a child. However there is no record of his words,
or frequency of his prayer. His lack of belief suggests that any prayer he
might have prayed for his wife would fall short of “an effectual fervent
prayer of a righteous man”, although Luke clearly states that Zechariah was
a righteous man.
We should not be surprised that the Lord Almighty heard the
prayer of a righteous man who faithfully served God, although he had trouble
believing an angel. The Lord had promised to hear the prayers offered in His
temple, and He keeps His promises. We should not be surprised at God answering
our prayers, as if the answer depended on our ability to work up “perfect
faith”. The Lord answers prayer. That is His promise and it is what He does for
His people.
Now, Zechariah probably wished that the answer had come earlier in
his life! However, here once again we see that God’s timing is perfect. Friend,
I wonder what are you praying for, in your imperfect way? May we insert our own
name in this sentence that was spoken by the angel who stands in the presence
of the Lord Almighty. “Do not be afraid, _______; your prayer has been
heard.”
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