A is for Anna (Women of the Bible)

I am so excited to be participating for the first time in Blogging Through the Alphabet, a series hosted by my friend, Marcy Crabtree!

I recently rediscovered a book, All the Women of the Bible, sitting on my book shelf that I had purchased years ago. I picked it up again the other day and began skimming through the pages. That's when it hit me - I can focus my Blogging Through the Alphabet series on the women of the Bible!

So for the next 26 weeks, I hope you will join me here as we learn together about the women of the Bible. Each week I will pick out one woman's name found in the Bible that's based on the letter of the week. Yes, I will be blogging A-Z, and I can't wait to share with you what I learn about each of these women!

A is for Anna.

Scripture Reference: 

Luke 2:36-38 (NIV)

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Meaning of Name: 

Favor or Grace

Family Connection:

Daughter of Phanuel, who was of the tribe of Asher.

Interesting Facts about Anna:

• Anna was a prophetess.
• Anna served God and remained true to Him even in old age.
• Anna devoted herself to the temple.
• Anna served God with prayers and fastings.
• Anna gave thanks to the Lord.
• Anna spoke of God to all around her.
• Anna was widowed after seven years of marriage.
• Anna witnessed the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies concerning the birth of the Messiah when she saw baby Jesus in the temple at the purification of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus forty days after his birth.

What We Can Learn From Anna:

• Just as Anna believed in the Old Testament prophesies of the birth of the Messiah, we as Christians should also believe in the New Testament prophesies of Jesus' second coming.
• Recognize who Jesus is - the Son of God Who died for sinners so that our broken relationship with God could be restored.
• Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and of His second coming to everyone!
• The blessedness of remaining a true servant of the Lord even into old age. 
• For the widow: devote herself to God Who promises to be a Husband to her. (Isaiah 54:4)
• Be a constant and devout worshiper through prayers, fasting, and assembling together with other believers in church.
• Live a self-controled life that crucifies the flesh in order to be devoted to prayer and fasting.
• Be patient in waiting for the answer to our prayers.
• Remember to be thankful for answered prayers.

Prophet Anna, by Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Please join me here at Grace-Filled-Moments again next week and meet the woman in the Bible I've chosen for the letter B. I'd love to have you along for this journey! Feel free to leave me a comment below if there is a particular woman of the Bible you are interested in learning more about.

Thank you to Marcy Crabtree of Ben and Me for hosting this #abcblogging challenge! Click on the image at the top of my post to read more #abcblogging posts!

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie