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As we continue our look at biblical fathers, we see how they are often shown praying specifically for their children's well-being, salvation, and spiritual growth. This week we meet Zechariah.
Zechariah’s prayer for his son John the Baptist is recorded in the Gospel of Luke. It is a beautiful example of a father who earnestly prays.
Zechariah was a priest at the temple in Jerusalem. He is described as a godly, respected man who was faithful and obedient to the Lord. However, he and his wife Elizabeth grieved the fact that they did not have any children.
In his old age, Zechariah initially responded in disbelief to the angel who appeared to him in the temple and announced Elizabeth would become pregnant. Despite his first reaction of doubt which left him unable to speak, Zechariah’s response was to be obedient after his son was born by giving him the name John.
Luke 1:63 reads, “He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.””
His gratitude at the miracle of the birth of a son is expressed in a beautiful prayer of praise to God that included a special blessing for this long-awaited son.
Luke 1:76 reads…And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
To God Be The Glory for Zechariah and the priceless, moving way he prayed for John. What an incredibly, encouraging prayer for John to reflect upon for years to come in his role as a prophet, especially knowing he had the challenging task to “go before the Lord to prepare the way for Him”
Sister Cathy Black
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