Luke 2: Waiting for the Lord - Simeon and Anna

Scripture

Luke 2:25–38
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.’”

(Luke 2:25-32, excerpt)

Scripture Reflection

If a small newborn child showed up at the temple while you were worshiping, would you have had the discernment to know that this was the Heir of David, the Promised King, the Son of God?

Often, in its infancy, a work of God is not flashy or powerful — but barely noticeable. At Asbury University in 2022, God began to move quietly when a few students stayed late after a chapel service. The worship leader discerned God was present and resolved to do one simple thing: “I’ll just keep playing the guitar until the last student leaves.” As it turns out, the last student left three weeks later — after nearly 100,000 people came from all over the world to encounter God’s presence. But in its infancy, that outpouring was almost imperceptible.

How do we become the kinds of people who don’t miss or trample a move of God in its infancy? Simeon and Anna show us the way. They lived lives of patient expectation. For decades, they waited, watched, worshiped, and prayed. They had laid hold of God’s promises and waited for them to come to pass.

When Jesus came to the temple as a baby, their lives of prayer made it possible for them to discern what others could not yet see.

What we need in our region are more saints and intercessors like Simeon and Anna — willing to wait, even for a lifetime, so that when Jesus shows up, they can affirm and bless what He is doing. This is the beauty of persevering intercession: the kind that keeps showing up when nothing seems to be happening.

Let’s join Simeon and Anna in this posture. Many have prayed for revival in New England for years. Let us be found faithful alongside them.

Praying it UP / IN / OUT

UP: Thank God for His faithfulness across generations. Worship Him for the hope that never disappoints.

IN: Ask for patient endurance. Ask to become a person who knows how to wait in the temple. Bless the older saints in your community who carry this spirit.

OUT: Pray for your church and city to recognize God’s work even in its infancy — that we won’t miss what He’s doing simply because it comes small.

Closing Prayer

Lord of the hidden beginnings, Teach us to see what others miss.

Make us like Simeon and Anna — faithful watchers, patient intercessors,
so attuned to Your Spirit that we don’t overlook Your arrival,
even when it comes in weakness, smallness, or quiet.

We confess how easily we chase what is loud and spectacular.

But Your kingdom often comes like a seed, like a child, like a whisper. So train our hearts to wait, our eyes to see.

Make our lives into places of prayer and expectancy.

Raise up Simeons and Annas —
who will not give up, even after years of silence,
who will fast and pray, even when the room is empty,
who will bless Your work, even in its infancy

May we not miss the day of our visitation. 

May we not despise the day of small beginnings.

Amen.