There's a lot going on in our world at the moment. A lot. Among other things, many people are stressed about this election and waiting on pins and needles for the results. I'm not here to infuse my political opinion into this post, but I am here to use the election as a backdrop for my next featured woman of the bible.
If you're following along in this bible, alphabetically, our next biblical female friend is Anna. Her story can be found in Luke 2:22-38. I also wrote a little about her in a previous post. Anna was a widow in a time when women were already seen as lowly. Without a husband, she was even lower. She couldn't own property, and she didn't have any rights that women today are privileged to have. The one privilege she did have was to be able to attend the Court of Women in the temple.
Sidenote: For those unaware, the Jewish temple had three courts: the Court of the Gentiles, the Court of Women, and the Court of Israel which was closest to the Most Holy Place (the inner tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant was held). Anyone was permitted into the Court of the Gentiles, and this was the location in the bible story where Jesus drove out all who were buying and selling. The Court of Women was beyond that and was named so because women could not go beyond that point. It was a terrace that looked down into the Court of Israel (the inner temple). For those visual learners out there, here is a diagram.
So Anna was allowed to pray and fast in the Court of Women regardless of the fact that she had such a lowly station. One day while she was there, she witnessed the presentation of Christ in the temple. She saw Simeon take Jesus in his arms and proclaim him to be the Messiah. At that moment, the Lord revealed himself - in person! - to one of the lowliest people of the time simply because she hungered for his presence. Anna took that gift from the Lord and spoke about him to all who she met.
Now, here's how the 2020 election is connected. In the reflection portion of Anna's story, my bible talks about how many people still suffer from war, injustice, and spiritual darkness even though Christianity has spread across the world. The reflection suggests we "look beyond [our] immediate concerns," to research and read about what's going on in a country across the world that is experiencing these things and to pray for Christ's light to shine upon their people.
I know there are plenty of countries whose people are suppressed, whose water supply is scant, and yes, they do need our prayers. But America needs our prayers as well. Perhaps looking beyond our immediate concerns means setting aside our political affiliation for a minute and looking at the state of the humans in our country.
We are the United States of America, but we are divided. We need Christ's light to shine upon our nation so that we can heal our hate-filled hearts and love each other as Jesus would. That kind of love goes beyond political parties. Our votes have been cast already. It is in God's hands right now, and I think that if, instead of spending our waiting time in a ball of anxiety over something we can no longer control, we pray fervently like Anna for God to reveal himself to our broken country, that would be a better use of our time. And perhaps God would smile on us, then, making His will plainly known and giving us all peaceful hearts filled with acceptance.
Jesus, I long for your light to spread across the whole earth so that people from every land will know you. Today [I pray for America and her people to accept your will and to be reunited as a nation.] Show me how to pray in a way that builds your kingdom.
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