I Am The Lord's Servant: A Prayer Encouragement!

I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.Luke 1:38

As we approach the birth of our savior, I want to encourage you to read all of the first chapter of Luke. In this chapter we see the Angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah, the husband of Elizabeth and father of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the mother of Jesus. The angle is foretelling the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus.

There are two responses to the Angel Gabriel and the word he delivered to them.  When he told Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son and his name would be John, Zechariah inquired of the angel as to how this could be because he and his wife were old in age.  Luke 1:18, Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary in Luke 1:28-34, he says, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.   He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ^and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”  “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

Zechariah responds with the concern that he and his wife are old.  Mary responds with the concern that she is a virgin.  Both seem like impossible situations for a birth.

Zechariah asks the angel how he could be sure of this word.  Mary asks the angel how it would be. Because Zechariah did not believe the angel’s words, he would not be able to speak until the birth came to pass.  The angel goes on to tell Mary that no word from God would ever fail. Mary’s response was, I am the Lord's servant, may your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.

What about you?  When you read God’s Word and see His promises for yourself or for your children, what is your response? Let’s pray that we would have a servant’s heart as we seek God’s plan for our children and dedicate them to the Lord for His kingdom.

Let’s pray God’s Word:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the birth of your son, Jesus.  As we reflect on His birth and share in the joys of this event with our children, guide our hearts as mothers to be like Mary.

Help us to know deep down that you have a plan for our child.  A plan that cannot be thwarted and will come to pass.  Help us relinquish our dreams and desires for them and seek what it is that you have for them and the ways you have naturally gifted them.

As we celebrate the Christmas season with our family, let them see you in us as we lay down our best laid plans for a perfect occasion, and be filled with Your peace and presence!  Amen.

Prayer Encouragement from Terrie Chevaillier