There’s so much in the short story about Zechariah and Elizabeth. Yesterday, we looked at the Benedictus: delivered from…to. Today we’re back to Zechariah’s encounter with the angel, who says something very intriguing:

But the angel reassured him, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God is showing grace to you. For I have come to tell you that your prayer for a child has been answered. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son and you are to name him John. (Luke 1.13, Passion Translation)

“Your prayer for a child has been answered.” Judging from Zechariah’s response, it’s likely he wasn’t even praying that prayer currently. In fact, the Passion Translation note says as much:

The Greek verb allows for a possible translation of “prayer you don’t even pray anymore.” -Passion Translation note on verse 13.

The lesson remains: always pray and never give up. We don’t know how long it will take for a prayer to be answered. We pray for the big things: “Manifest your kingdom on earth,” give us relief from COVID, end racial injustice,… and for smaller, more personal things: family issues, jobs, illnesses, personal ministry. Always pray, never give up.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18.1, NIV)

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5.17, ESV)