Anna-Serving Through the Seasons

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12/10/25 Ansley Haynie-YBL Event Planner & Office Manager

Luke 2:36-38

The story of Anna is found near the end of Luke 2 and presented in just three verses exactly. Though short, this prophetess’ life speaks volumes.

Anna was very old and widowed. Her life looked very different than most women in her time. She knew grief, loneliness, & waiting. Luke 2:37 says that “she never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”

Anna allowed the Lord to use her circumstances to grow her faith instead of growing bitter.

Of course, Anna was there “the very moment” Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple. Anna’s faithfulness to the Lord had brought her to the exact place He wanted her to be. When she saw the child, she began praising God. She proceeded to tell others about Him—especially those who, like her, were “looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).

Anna’s story reminds us:

  • Faithfulness during difficult seasons is never wasted. Most of her story was unseen by the world but fully seen by God.
  • Pain can be used to grow closer to the Lord. She prayed earnestly during her season of widowhood.
  • Those who patiently wait on God are ready when He moves. She recognized His work when it arrived in the form of a baby because of her relationship with Him.

Are you in a long season of waiting, or feeling as though your most productive years are behind you? Anna’s life whispers a gentle truth: a life devoted to Him is never small, it is never too late to be used by God.

Stay faithful to the Lord during difficult seasons. You may find that during the ordinary rhythms of worship and prayer, you suddenly recognize Jesus right in the middle of your story.