Throughout the Bible, powerful prayers of women are recorded. Despite the cultural norms of the day that said men were the ones who were supposed to be spiritual leaders and the liaisons to God, these women displayed strength and faith in a way many men failed to do. There are many women in the Bible whose example we can look towards when we think about how to pray.
Anna
The Bible says to pray “at all times” and “without ceasing.” This often becomes a challenge in the mundane reality of life. Perhaps no one knew this better than prophetess Anna. She spent the majority of her life as a widow. God led her to pray for the coming Messiah, but after decades of waiting and praying, He had not arrived. Still, Anna continued to pray for the Messiah and for others. We can infer that the more she prayed, the more she learned about God and His plans. Consistent prayer will do the same for you.
Hannah
At times, Christian women may be tempted to believe the message that they must be perpetually happy for others to respect them or for God to hear them. Biblical examples indicate otherwise. 1 Samuel tells us Hannah longed for a child and “wept bitterly” while praying for one. Though others chastised her, God did not. God welcomes honesty in prayer — after all, he knows you to your core and understands your heart. Hebrews 4 tells us we can come “boldly” to His throne room and count on Him to comfort and guide us.
Mary
Mary was faced with an impossible miracle — one that was not only difficult to believe, but could reflect poorly on her in her society despite its glorious truth. Rather than rejecting God’s gift of his son or worrying about what others (including her soon-to-be husband Joseph) would think, Mary prayed and rejoiced. “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name,” she sings in Luke 1. Her faith and deep relationship with God is a reminder to trust in His calling, even when the circumstances don’t make sense.
