## 2019 Summer Study Prayer in Luke

- 1. Prayer at Jesus’ birth

Luke 1:1-20 and 2:22,36-39 This is Luke’s personal introduction (1:1-4). Of the four gospel writers, Luke gives the most attention to Jesus’ birth. Note the people, the circumstances, and the surprise for whom Jesus’ birth is the answer to their prayers.

##### How is God already present and working in your life in fulfillment of your deepest prayers?

Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been 2 fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were 3 eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully 4 from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed. 5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to 6 the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments 7 and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. 8 9 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord 10 and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people praying 11 was outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right 12 side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. prayer 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your has been heard. 14 Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and 15 gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16 17 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my 19 wife is getting on in years." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, 20 and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur." 2:22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought 36 him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord … There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her 37 husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never prayer 38 left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the 39 redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.