Devout Widow Anna Example of Faithfulness
Anna was a prophetess who served God day and night in the Temple in Jerusalem. When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple to present him to the Lord, Anna recognized him as the long-awaited Messiah. Her story is told in the Gospel of Luke.
Anna was from the tribe of Asher and was very old, having lived with her husband for only seven years after her marriage before being widowed. She never left the Temple, worshiping God with fasting and prayer night and day. When Jesus was brought to the Temple as an infant to be presented to the Lord, Anna was there and she praised God and spoke about Jesus to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Despite her old age, Anna devoted herself fully to prayer and worship. Her recognition of Jesus as the Messiah shows her spiritual wisdom and discernment. Although there are few details about her life, she serves as an inspirational example of faithful devotion to God.
In the eastern Orthodox Church, Anna is considered a prophetess and is venerated as Saint Anna on July 25. She is a patron saint of widows and her life is an encouragement to persist in prayer like Anna did. The church celebrates both her physical purity and her spiritual purity in remaining a widow and serving God in the Temple continually.
Her faithfulness in serving God despite her years is an inspiration. Even in old age, Anna did not cease worshiping the Lord. Her perseverance in prayer allowed her to see the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies in the infant Christ. She represents the virtues of persistence in faith.
References
Brown, R. E. (2018). An introduction to the New Testament. Yale University Press.
Camp, C. V. (2008). Anna. In The Woman’s Bible Commentary (pp. 364–365). Westminster John Knox Press.
Graham, G. (2002). Anna. In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Holman Bible Publishers.
McBirnie, W. S. (1973). The Search for the Twelve Apostles. Tyndale House Publishers.