Morning by Morning, January 3 - Hungry for the Presence of God Like Anna Good morning, Lord Jesus. Listening for Your leading, I’m watching and waiting for You to bring Your thoughts to my mind and Your words to my heart. ... “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 until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38). Along with the prophet Simeon, the prophetess Anna was there that day Mary and Joseph dedicated You to God at the temple, as they “performed everything according to the Law of the Lord” (v. 39). It was no accident Anna and Simeon were there. Simeon had longed to see You before he died (v. 26) and Anna wouldn’t leave the temple until she found the One she was waiting for as “the redemption of Jerusalem” and Savior of all (v. 38). The heart of Anna speaks of a heart that’s hungry for the Presence of God. She was always at the temple -- worshipping and watching and waiting. Hungering and thirsting for more of You with fasting, pressing in for more of You with persevering prayer. As You would later say, maybe even with Anna in mind, along with all who are never satisfied with settling for something less that all You have for them in their spiritual life, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). As the apostle Paul would later express, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). And as James, Your brother, would encourage us all, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). You drew near to Anna. You came to personally answer her prayers. She came to the temple to encounter You. And she did. Lord, give me a deeper hunger for Your Presence. May I pray without ceasing down in my spirit, which is Your temple in my heart, where I can encounter You night and day (1 Corinthians 6:19). Even as I go about my day, I don’t have to depart from this temple or leave this place of the abiding Presence of God, where I can keep connected with You -- heart to Heart, spirit to Spirit, deep to Deep. Just as You promise, “Abide in Me, as I abide in you” (John 15:4). “You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:13-14). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be hungry in your heart for the abiding Presence of God -- passionately pursuing the Lord -- hear to Heart, spirit to Spirit, deep to Deep, in Jesus' name. God bless you!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries Mailing Address: 412 S. Adams Street #148 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org | 
