Prayer in Luke-Acts

A Personal Study

Introduction

My aim is to read through these two books, highlighting, studying, and meditating on every reference to prayer that I can find. I will designate the majority of my insights in this document.

Luke 1

Zachariah was a righteous priest, from the eighth division of Abijah. Him and his wife Elizabeth walked blamelessly in all the commandments and righteous requirements of the Lord, but she was barren (Lk. 1:5-8). Zachariah was chosen by lot to enter the holy place and burn incense, which only happened twice a day (9:00 AM and 3:00 PM). This was a high honor, which most priests would only do once in their lifetime, as some estimates put that there were possibly 20,000 priests in total by this time (Lk. 1:9).

Since Zachariah was righteous (unlike many of the priests of his day), he took this honor seriously with the utmost reverence. He most likely sought counsel from other priests who have done it, and prepared his prayer beforehand. I have no doubt that he performed this holy act with expectancy.

Look at this entry in the Enduring Word Commentary for the specifics of what this would have looked like:

i. There were several lots cast to determine who did what at the morning sacrifice. The first lot determined who would cleanse the altar and prepare its fire; the second lot determined who would kill the morning sacrifice and sprinkle the altar, the golden candlestick, and the altar of incense. The third lot determined who would come and offer incense. This was the most privileged duty; those who received the first and second lots would repeat their duty at the evening sacrifice, but not with the third lot. To offer the incense would be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

ii. Before dawn, hundreds of worshippers gathered at the temple. The morning sacrifice began when the incense priest walked toward the temple, through the outer courts, he struck a gong-like instrument known as the Magrephah. At this sound, the Levites assembled and got ready to lead the gathered people in songs of worship to God.

iii. The other two priests chosen by lot that morning walked up to the temple on each side of the priest chosen to offer the incense. All three entered the holy place together. One priest set burning coals on the golden altar; the other priest arranged the incense, so it was ready to go. Then those two priests left the temple, and the incense priest was left all alone in the holy place.

iv. In front of him was the golden altar of incense; it was 18 inches square and 3 feet high. On that small table lay the burning coals, with little wisps of smoke rising up, ready for the incense. Behind the gold altar was a huge, thick curtain, and behind that curtain was the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place, where no man could enter, except the high priest, and that only on the Day of Atonement. As he faced the golden altar of incense, to his right would be the table of showbread, and to his left would be the golden lampstand, which provided the only light for the holy place.

Incense is a Picture of Prayer

According to the Law of Moses, incense was offered to God on the golden altar every morning and every evening (Exodus 30:7-8). By this time, there was an established ritual for the practice.

Though this might seem strange for some people, the connection is clear all throughout scripture (Ps. 141:2, Rev 5:8).

A Multitude Praying

As Zechariah was praying for the nation of Israel, for deliverance from their enemies and for the Lord to send the promised Messiah, the multitude of people were outside, kneeling and praying with their hands lifted to God. This is a beautiful picture of unity in prayer. Its not just the leaders of God’s people that should pray, but the people along with them. We are all “a chosen family, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession…” (1 Pet. 2:9).

During this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, an angel appeared to Zechariah and announced “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will call his name John” (Lk. 1:13).

When we approach our places of prayer reverently and with expectancy, angels are dispatched and our prayers get answered. Miracles take place and John the Baptists are born.

What prayer has been heard? What is the angel referring to in this statement? It can be a few things:

Past prayers that him and Elizabeth prayed.

Prayers he just said, as he was likely petitioning for Israel to be freed from their enemies and for the Lord to send the Messiah.

Prayers for them to have a son that he squeezed into this window of intercession.

Judging from Zechariah’s response, “How will I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years” (Lk. 1:18), it is most likely a combination of the first two. If he was praying for Elizabeth to be pregnant during the incense offering then he wouldn’t be as surprised and doubtful about what Gabriel said.

Our prayers never die. God is able to answer prayers that were released decades prior, because each prayer is collected in the heavens (Rev. 5:8). Every prayer is a seed in God’s eternal soil, with the potential to bear much fruit.

Sometimes God answers our prayers in ways we did not expect. Zechariah was praying for deliverance from Israel’s enemies and for the Messiah to come, God answered his prayers by having his wife get pregnant with John the Baptist, who was the forerunner for the Messiah.

John the Baptist

Gabriel prophesied of John’s life, that he would be great in the sight of the Lord.

Daniel was honored in a similar fashion by none other than Gabriel himself, “you are highly esteemed” (Dan. 9:23), “O Daniel, man of high esteem” (Dan. 10:11, Dan. 10:19).

Gideon was told by the angel of the Lord, “Yahweh is with you, O mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:12).

I would rather be great in the sight of the Lord than only in the sight of man. God’s favor outweighs man’s favor. Though the two are not mutually exclusive, if I could only chose one I will go with God every single time.

John was to be a Nazarite in that he would not drink alcohol. Even though scripturally it was permissible for God’s people to drink moderately, for some they were called to a higher consecration because of the specific call on their life. John gave up these freedoms so that he can be fully devoted to being the forerunner to the Messiah.

John was also called to “turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God” (Lk. 1:16).

Much of Israel would have considered themselves as children of Abraham, religious Jews that had some measure of devotion to Yahweh. So who are these many sons that needed to be turned back to the Lord their God? Alas, not all those who claim to be religious are truly devoted to Yahweh. Even in John’s day there was much mixture, and he had a God ordained and heavenly anointed message of repentance for the people of his day. We need John the Baptists to rise up today to call the sleeping Bride to sober action. There are many in our ranks that need their hearts turned back to the Lord their God.

Luke 2

Simeon the Righteous

Luke 2:25–28 LSB

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms and blessed God, and said,

Simeon was a righteous and devout man of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would often rest upon him, and he would receive in-depth revelation.

How marvelous it is that Israel has been waiting for its Messiah for over a thousand years, and he receives a revelation that he will not die until he lays eyes on Him! Talk about a risky word! This kind of intimacy with the Holy Spirit was possible even in the Old Covenant!

Luke 2:29–32 LSB

“Now Master, You are releasing Your slave in peace, According to Your word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light for revelation to the Gentiles, And for the glory of Your people Israel.”

Simeon’s name in Hebrew means, “God has heard” which is fitting in light of the immediate context.

Here Simeon refers to God as δεσπότης, which signifies a master or slave owner. Yes God is our Master and Lord, and what a joy it is to be wholly devoted to such a perfect Master!

Simeon lived according to His word and valued what the Holy Spirit said.

Simeon is also quoting scripture in his prayer of blessing out of multiple Messianic passages in Isaiah. When we pray, it should be rooted in the scriptures. Its something that comes natural to those who have walked with God for many years.

Anna the Prophetess

Luke 2:36–38 LSB

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Anna in Hebrew means “grace, favor”

Even though Anna experienced tragedy, she devoted herself to the Lord in fasting and prayer. She didn’t run from God because of what she experienced, but rather she ran to God. As a result, she was privileged to see the Messiah in her old age.