Answered prayers
God is very good in answering prayers. There is not one prayer and in due season God has not answered, and those that have not been answered he will respond soon. God knows our needs and wants and as a loving Father; who only wants to please his little ones, is actively preparing ways to satisfy our needs. In fact, Jesus said that the same way God dresses the flowers of the field with their beauty and splendor, if we seek him first he will do the same (Mt6:31-33). And even when we are not so deserving, God in his abundant mercy gives us to our needs. Take for instance the people of Israel after they were brought out of the house of bondage and slavery and complained in the desert enough to make annoy anyone, he gave them according to their need and want (ps78:23-25). God is that loving and patient that made sure the phrase “His mercy endures forever was written 43 times in the bible. In fact, Psalms 136 this phrase is the most mentioned and the verses that directly applies to us are found in verse 25-28, where he says “23 Who remembered us in our low estate:for his mercy endureth for ever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever (ps136:23-25).
Luke 1:11-13
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
Zachariah and his wife faithful to the Lord. They came from the lineage of Aaron the priest. And like each and every one of us had a private petition before God, of which no one probably knew. Zachariah because he was from the priest line of Aaron; from Abijah the eight in the line, and his reputation preceded him it was time for him to exercise his office as a priest. But something interesting happened when Zachariah entered his priest office, and that is was selected to be high priest by lot skipping the line and going straight to the top. The grace movement was commenced from Zachariah on ward (1P2:9). Now, it was the time of year for a high priest to go into the holy of holy places of the tabernacle and burn incense which was done twice a year, and only a high priest could do this. This priest needed to be a holy man of God otherwise he would not come out of the holy place alive. They would tie a rope with bells on his feet incase he would fall and make the bells sound they would pull him out. Zachariah and his wife were living a holy life not because of the priestly calling, but because it was part of their daily life.
When Zachariah enters this holy place the entire congregation of the people of Israel were praying outside, because no one could go inside. And as he is lighting the incense to the right of the ark of the covenant Gabriel the archangel appears. The first thing that the angel mentions is Zachariah’s forgotten petition. His appearance disturbed Zachariah to the point that he was afraid and doubted the response to his petition (Lk1:18-20). There was a consequence for doubting that Zachariah had to endure, and that was he became muted until the birth of the child. John’s mission was to prepare the church; a ready church (lk1:16-17). Peter writes “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1P3:15). He also tells us that we have to make ready our minds for the hope in Christ (1P1:13). One of the things that help us to be ready is when God answers our prayer requests, it keeps us believing especially in the big things. Zachariah was not ready, because as soon as this big supernatural experience occurred doubt; which was settled in his heart came afloat.
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Psalms 78:23-25
23 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.25 Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
1 Peter 2:9
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Luke 1:16-17
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
1 Peter 3:15
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1 Peter 1:13
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;