Zacharias, Prayer and Faith
Today we will look into a short Bible passage from the Gospel of Luke. Chapter One introduces us to an elderly couple; a Jewish priest named Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth. They both are described as righteous before God, and walking blameless in all the Lord’s commandments and ordinances. We also learn they are a childless couple. Zacharias and Elizabeth certainly were godly believers, and prayed often to God to allow them to become parents. In this bible story they were advanced in age, so we do not know if they were still praying for a baby. But the tenor of the verses suggests they still carried a burden from this unanswered prayer.
Luke 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
Zacharias and Elisabeth prayed many years for a baby. For Elizabeth to become pregnant at this time in her life would require a double miracle because Elisabeth was both barren as a young lady and now past childbearing age. The Bible does not say how long they sought after the LORD for a baby, but it could have been more than 50 years. In Israel it was common then for teenage girls to be married. But as we read these scriptures keep in mind God’s ways are not man’s ways and 1,000 years with God is as a single day for us. God is about to provide this dear couple with their heart’s desire. Soon they will become parents of a little baby boy.
Zacharias was a priest in the temple, and one day while administering his duties, the Angel Gabriel appeared unto him to bring Zacharias truly good news. He was going to have a son named John. God would mightily use John to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. John would introduce the Nation of Israel to the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God and the Saviour of the world.
Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee
a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Zacharias’ Prayer Lacked Strong Faith
As we continue to read this story, we discover a disconnect between Zacharias’ specific prayer request, and his personal faith in God’s provision. For many years he had prayed alongside his wife for a baby, and now he hears that his prayer is about to be answered. However, Zacharias does not believe Gabriel’s message from God. He replies he is an old man and his wife well stricken in years. In his mind it is impossible that Elizabeth can still conceive and be a mother to a baby. God then reprimands Zacharias for his unbelief by striking him dumb.
Luke 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
Enthusiastic Prayers have Strong Faith
When Zacharias was young, he had fervency in his prayer to be a father. But many years passed and as he remained childless, his prayer, though still frequent, lacked an effectualness of faith. Although Zacharias’ prayer was answered, it was long delayed, and his faith was much eroded over the course of time. The loss of his faith provides us with a valuable spiritual insight, and perhaps motivation for examination of our own personal prayer life. We should ask ourselves if our prayer requests lack faith sufficient for God to answer them. Oftentimes when first confronted with a new need in our life, as Christians we are quick to turn to Jesus for help. Let’s say a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness. We will be fast and straightforward in our plea to Jesus for His help.
James 5:16b The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
But what about those situations where our needs seemingly go unmet. Like Zacharias, we can often pray the same request for many years and yet receive no answer from God. Maybe our prayer is about a spiritual hindrance in our life, or the salvation of a close family member. Initially in our quiet times with God we are fervent in our request. But through the passage of time, our conviction of faith is diluted, along with our desire for an answer from God. We have prayed this same prayer for so long that deep down in our soul we believe no definite answer to this prayer is forthcoming. In this situation our prayers are without true faith. They become meager idle words, and are deficient of any real spiritual power with God. Just as Zacharias faith in becoming a father waned over time, we too can fall into this trap when our prayers seemingly go unanswered.
Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.
God wants our faith to always remain strong no matter how long it takes for Him to answer us. Answered prayer is up to God’s providence, will and timeframe. And God is good to us all the time.
