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. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord..." (Luke 1:13-15).
The angel answered [Mary], “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:35-37).
We praise You, Father, God Almighty, all power and authority are Yours. You have established Your throne in heaven, and Your kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19).
We praise You, Son of God, "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in You all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through You and for You. You are before all things, and in You all things hold together" (Colossians 1:15-17). We praise You, of whom, when God brings His Firstborn into the world, He says, “Let all God’s angels worship Him.” (Hebrews 1:6).
We praise You Holy Spirit, Breath of God, Spirit of Truth, Comforter, Counselor, Advocate. We praise You, through whose power the will of God, the purpose of God and the plans of God are accomplished.
We praise You, Almighty, Triune God, for every detail of Your plan to dwell with us. For all You called to participate in its execution—those You have used to strengthen our faith, to increase our resolve, to give us hope.
For Elizabeth and Zechariah, praying through the sadness and pain of infertility, struggling with disappointment as the advancing years rob them of hope. And "out the blue," as it were, You sent Your messenger to call them out of the shadows and into Your plan of joy and hope and promise.
Thank You Lord, for the comfort that message brings to all who are dealing with the sadness and pain of bitter disappointment. We pray for those struggling with unfulfilled hopes, dashed expectations, the fading of a dream.
Lord, You know all our deep longings—whether for children, for a family, for health, for the end of loneliness, for the end of physical or mental suffering. You know the pain of loss, the weariness of struggle, the "toil of care".
Send Your messengers with a gift of hope, a gesture of love, a word of encouragement. Send those who would bring a "word aptly spoken" (Proverbs 25:11). Help us to minister to each other, even in our own need.
Father, give us peace in the middle of our circumstances! We know that You do not answer prayers in the same way, and sometimes not in the way we desire or envision. But help us to trust You, believing Your word that You do not withhold any "good thing...from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11). Thank You that the sacrifice of Christ has made us spiritually pure in Your sight. Help us to walk before [You] faithfully and be blameless (Genesis 17:1).
Help us to trust You with our brokenness and pain, and with all our disappointments, knowing with certainty that as for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him (Psalm 18:30). Thank You that we can stand on that promise, knowing that "no word from God will ever fail" (Luke 1:37).
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