They Were Outside in Prayer

How's your prayer life? How about your church's prayer life. I ask because it seems like time and time again when there is a life changing event there are also people praying. It's as if God orchestrates His timing in such a way that His biggest blessings are received when His people seek Him in prayer. So if your prayer life or your church's prayer life are off, you might be missing out.

I wonder if Zacharias and Elizabeth understood the blessings of prayer before John was born. I suspect that they did. After all, Luke tells us that "...they were both righteous before God." (Luke 1:7). I suspect anyone who is counted as righteous likely has a good prayer life. We know from the faith chapter (Hebrews 11) that faith factors in as well. So most likely Zacharias and Elizabeth were people of faith who, although left without a child, continued to believe in God and to lift up prayers of faith in their Lord God.

And so it was that while Zacharias was alone fulfilling His duties in the temple that he was surprised by the appearance of an angel (Luke 1:11-12). As exciting and impressive as this is, it's important that we don't overlook what was going on outside the temple while Zacharias was inside. The Bible tells us that while Zacharias was inside the temple the people were outside praying (Luke 1:10). Remember the chain of events that is about to happen. Zecharias sees an angel and learns that he will have a son. This son was to be unique and would prepare the way for the savior of the world. What are the people of God doing as God's plans are revealed by an angel? They are praying!

Furthermore the angel tells Zacharias that his prayer has been answered. Prayer was an important part of God's plan. It was important that Zacharias and Elizabeth be people of prayer even though his faith was not perfect. It was important that the people were praying. How do we know it's important? We know because the Bible mentions these prayers. Were they all praying for Zacharias to have a son? I doubt it and I doubt Zacharias and Elizabeth were praying for someone like John. But it was important that they were praying and their prayers put them all in position to witness God in action.

I do not think it a coincidence that the people were praying when the angel appeared. I believe that an individual and a church that are dedicated to prayer will get many chances to see God in action today. So I ask again, how is your prayer life? How is your church's prayer life? Are you missing out?