American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 9
ARC Prayer Meeting
“He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).
This passage of Scripture is my life’s verse. Most of us know this passage pertains to the call on John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord.
John was the forerunner of Christ to “Make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3b). It was time for the earth to receive her King and establish the blessing of God wherever the curse was found.
There are other unsung heroes of the faith the Lord used to prepare His way as well. Two come to mind, Simeon and Anna. Simeon was a just and devout man who was waiting for the “Consolation of Israel.” The Scriptures testify that the Holy Spirit was upon him. Through his communion with the Lord, he learned he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Sure enough the Spirit of God led him to the Temple to take up the Christ child in his arms and declare, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).
Anna, you may recall, was widowed at a young age and devoted the rest of her long life to prayer, fasting, and intercession. What was the focus of this incredible devotion to the Lord day and night? She also was preparing the way of the Lord. “And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him (Jesus) to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38).
At the appointed time, “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). The coming of the Messiah was prophesied, predicted in great detail, and with the Incarnation, it came to pass at the appointed time.
This not only points out the accuracy and integrity of God’s Word, it also reveals the role of prayer and intercession. Though it was a foregone conclusion it would come to pass based upon the promises of God that are yes and amen, the Lord, by His Spirit, still moved upon his children to intercede.
