In part one of Elizabeth’s story in our #PrayBoldGirl series, we learned to be persistent in prayer, especially when our prayer has not been answered in the way we want and we feel like giving up. Our lesson: Never give up praying.
Today, we continue to look to Elizabeth’s story because there is still so much we can learn from her about how to pray boldly.
Have you ever thought you were alone and suddenly realized someone else stood not far from you? It’s enough to make you jump.
It’s understandable the angel startled Zechariah.
Yet, Zechariah was perturbed in another way, too.
Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, the angel said.
Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband, had prayed for them to have a baby, yet when the good news came that they would, he didn’t believe it could happen.
Zechariah responded with disbelief: “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
Poor Zechariah, his doubt left him speechless, literally.
Imagine Elizabeth’s confusion when her husband came home from work in the temple. I’m sure he beamed, but he couldn’t get the words out to tell her the news.
Although we are not told how Elizabeth reacted, I think she responded with overwhelming joy to what the angel said.
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Elizabeth exclaimed later to Mary, I’m sure she applied these words to herself as well.
When your prayer has finally been answered, do you react like Zechariah or Elizabeth?
Have you doubted? Or believed the result?
When God eventually answered my request, the one I’d prayed for years; the one I thought impossible, I must admit I thought: “Can this really be happening?” and “Is this God’s doing?”
However, we shouldn’t let disbelief be our response to the answer to our prayer, or let it spoil the blessing we’ve received.
Tweet ThisIf you’re in the waiting phase—then use this time to get ready and be expectant.
Jesus said, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Right before these words, Jesus taught that belief moves mountains.
As I look out on the Rockies this morning from my window in Breckenridge, it is impossible to imagine my faith could move those mountains, which have stood for millions of years, into the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles away. After all, Jesus was only talking metaphorically, wasn’t he? He didn’t really mean we could move mountains.
It seems absurd. It seems impossible. How could I, by praying, move the Rockies?
Yet, Jesus began with an important statement. It’s easy to miss as we focus on the impossible.
Jesus said: Have faith in God. It’s not faith in our prayers or our abilities that matters.
One commentator notes: it is not the ‘amount’ of faith which brings the impossible within reach, but the power of God, which is available to even the ‘smallest’ faith.”[1]
We need to practice having faith and trusting God’s goodness; believing in his power to make the impossible possible.
Zechariah questioned God’s ability. We don’t want to do the same. Instead, like Elizabeth, we want to say: “The Lord has done this for me.”
So as you pray for the impossible to happen, be ready to be blessed. Be expectant of the answer.
Be a bold woman believing nothing is impossible with God. Have faith.
[1] Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 268.
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Linking up with Holly Barrett at #TestimonyTuesday and Suzie Eller at #liveFree
Perhaps I should not hyper focus on this one point, but I became completely distracted and could no longer focus on the rest of the devotional once I read the part where you stated that the mountains you were looking at were million of years old.
Any believer HAS to know that the earth is NOT millions of years old! That is embracing evolution and if we mix evolution with the Bible and Christianity, that is a downward slippery slope that leads to mixing more falsehoods with and against the truth of God’s word. If we cannot trust the Bible from Genesis 1:1, then it all falls apart.
I challenge you to study the Account of creation and I respectfully suggest you look into “Answers in Genesis” and all that that organization has to teach about creation and the effect accepting the lies of Evolution has on Christianity and the church.
I’m sorry to “preach” at you. But even with ALL the questions I have about things, the one thing I am incredibly passionate about is the truth of creation!
Thank you.
PS. If you ever get the chance, please visit The Ark in Kentucky as well as its sister Museum, The Creation Museum. The Ark is INCREDIBLE! A life size replica of Noah’s ark where they explain scientifically and biblically the ark and how it could have been built and held everything as well as what led to the global flood. Also, the Creation Museum takes you through creation and the book of Genesis, debunking the lies of evolution and explains how this lie from the pit of hell has caused more people to trip up as well as reject God. They are both worth the trip.
Hi Rachel, I pinned your gorgeous mountain graphic! Blessed to be your neighbor today at #livefreethursday.
Thanks, Sarah. 🙂
I really love this. For so many reasons. This speaks to my encourager heart. I think that we are in a unique time right now, when teaching others to pray is extremely important. Thank you for the work you are doing here.
Visiting from #LiveFree Thursday!
Happy Thursday!
Megs
Thanks Megs. I also love to encourage people. Keep up with the encouragement.