| Zechariah's Promise by Karen Jordan |
The Prayer. How do you pray for a couple who is intensely focused on having a baby, but continue to
face disappointment? That question haunted me as I prayed for my son Adam and his wife Jenni.
Following five miscarriages in six years, their hopes grew dim. But the desire to be parents continued to
birth encouragement in their hearts.
Lord, You promise in Your Word to “provide all (our) needs according to (Your) riches in Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 4:19). And Lord, I don’t know what their “needs” are, but Your Word says You “know what
(we) need before (we) ask…” (Matthew 6:8).
The Promise. I was surprised to learn of a sixth conception immediately after being prompted to pray.
And the next waiting period ensued. We tossed hope around our discussions as we tried to ignore our
fear of another loss.
As I continued to pray for Adam, Jenni, and my new grandchild, I recalled another couple who asked
God for a baby. In Luke 1:13-14, “an angel of the Lord appeared to” Zechariah and gave him a
message: “...Do not be afraid...your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice
because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord...”
Zechariah first questioned this promise to him, and he was told, “You will be silent and not able to speak
until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper
time” (Luke 1:20). But Elizabeth, his wife, did become pregnant, and she acknowledged, “The Lord has
done this for me...” (Luke 1:25).
At the birth of their son, Elizabeth and Zechariah were questioned by family and relatives about the
name they had chosen for him. But Elizabeth obeyed the words spoken to her husband and declared,
“...He is to be called John.” (Luke 1:60).
When Zechariah confirmed this chosen name, another promise was fulfilled.
(He) immediately began to speak, praising God. The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout
the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered
about it, asking, “ ‘What then is this child going to be?’ For the Lord’s hand was with him” (Luke 1:64-
66).
This story encouraged our family with the promise of God’s faithfulness. And even though fear and
unbelief poked their ugly heads out at times, the light of God’s Word continued to remind us of His
promises and dispelled our fear of the unknown days ahead. Jenni daily set her alarm for the two
injections her doctor prescribed, hoping for a healthy baby. Weeks turned into months, and their small
two-bedroom house was expanded to include another special bedroom for the child they believed God
had ordained for them.
A blue and green nursery began to evolve after Jenni’s ultra-sound image revealed the true identity of
their firstborn—a boy. Children’s picturebooks, toys, baskets, and a framed image of this unborn little
boy decorated the bookcase. Newborn shoes lined part of one shelf, and a tiny wardrobe hung proudly
in the closet. Jenni’s parents provided a cozy rocker for the corner of the nursery. I anticipated my
moments of peace—cuddling, hugging, and singing lullabies to my newest grandson. A pale blue
blanket hung on end of the crib with his carefully chosen name—Zachary (“Remembrance of the Lord”)
embroidered across one corner in dark blue stitching.
Five scripture promises representing the heart-shaped losses experienced during this couple’s journey
to parenthood were displayed on the nursery wall as a testimony of God’s faithfulness—faith, hope,
love, joy, and peace.
The Praise. As we waited in the hospital for the carefully-planned arrival, we launched Mom and Dad
off to the delivery room with a prayer of protection and peace. And little Zach arrived on schedule with
strong lungs and a delicately wrinkled brow. His entry into our troubled world may have been
overlooked by many. But those who attended this birth event and had watched God work for the
previous nine months recognized God’s miraculous hand on his parents. Zach’s squinted eyes peeked
to see a dozen people with smiles and tears who had fervently prayed for him over the past months and
years. Then, he drifted off once again to his land of dreams.
face disappointment? That question haunted me as I prayed for my son Adam and his wife Jenni.
Following five miscarriages in six years, their hopes grew dim. But the desire to be parents continued to
birth encouragement in their hearts.
Lord, You promise in Your Word to “provide all (our) needs according to (Your) riches in Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 4:19). And Lord, I don’t know what their “needs” are, but Your Word says You “know what
(we) need before (we) ask…” (Matthew 6:8).
The Promise. I was surprised to learn of a sixth conception immediately after being prompted to pray.
And the next waiting period ensued. We tossed hope around our discussions as we tried to ignore our
fear of another loss.
As I continued to pray for Adam, Jenni, and my new grandchild, I recalled another couple who asked
God for a baby. In Luke 1:13-14, “an angel of the Lord appeared to” Zechariah and gave him a
message: “...Do not be afraid...your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice
because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord...”
Zechariah first questioned this promise to him, and he was told, “You will be silent and not able to speak
until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper
time” (Luke 1:20). But Elizabeth, his wife, did become pregnant, and she acknowledged, “The Lord has
done this for me...” (Luke 1:25).
At the birth of their son, Elizabeth and Zechariah were questioned by family and relatives about the
name they had chosen for him. But Elizabeth obeyed the words spoken to her husband and declared,
“...He is to be called John.” (Luke 1:60).
When Zechariah confirmed this chosen name, another promise was fulfilled.
(He) immediately began to speak, praising God. The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout
the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered
about it, asking, “ ‘What then is this child going to be?’ For the Lord’s hand was with him” (Luke 1:64-
66).
This story encouraged our family with the promise of God’s faithfulness. And even though fear and
unbelief poked their ugly heads out at times, the light of God’s Word continued to remind us of His
promises and dispelled our fear of the unknown days ahead. Jenni daily set her alarm for the two
injections her doctor prescribed, hoping for a healthy baby. Weeks turned into months, and their small
two-bedroom house was expanded to include another special bedroom for the child they believed God
had ordained for them.
A blue and green nursery began to evolve after Jenni’s ultra-sound image revealed the true identity of
their firstborn—a boy. Children’s picturebooks, toys, baskets, and a framed image of this unborn little
boy decorated the bookcase. Newborn shoes lined part of one shelf, and a tiny wardrobe hung proudly
in the closet. Jenni’s parents provided a cozy rocker for the corner of the nursery. I anticipated my
moments of peace—cuddling, hugging, and singing lullabies to my newest grandson. A pale blue
blanket hung on end of the crib with his carefully chosen name—Zachary (“Remembrance of the Lord”)
embroidered across one corner in dark blue stitching.
Five scripture promises representing the heart-shaped losses experienced during this couple’s journey
to parenthood were displayed on the nursery wall as a testimony of God’s faithfulness—faith, hope,
love, joy, and peace.
The Praise. As we waited in the hospital for the carefully-planned arrival, we launched Mom and Dad
off to the delivery room with a prayer of protection and peace. And little Zach arrived on schedule with
strong lungs and a delicately wrinkled brow. His entry into our troubled world may have been
overlooked by many. But those who attended this birth event and had watched God work for the
previous nine months recognized God’s miraculous hand on his parents. Zach’s squinted eyes peeked
to see a dozen people with smiles and tears who had fervently prayed for him over the past months and
years. Then, he drifted off once again to his land of dreams.
Karen Jordan, professional and technical writer, addresses topics about her
faith and writing. Karen and her husband, Dan, live in Arkansas. They have
two married children and six grandchildren. Find Karen’s website and blog at
www.karenjordan.net.
faith and writing. Karen and her husband, Dan, live in Arkansas. They have
two married children and six grandchildren. Find Karen’s website and blog at
www.karenjordan.net.
© 2005 Karen Jordan. All rights reserved.
| Father, we need you, but we don’t know what to say. Thank you for Your Spirit, Who guides us when we pray. Spirit, intercede; You alone know our needs. Holy Spirit, intercede for us. You alone know our needs. |
| Lord, I asked you for a miracle, but did I truly believe That You’re still a God of miracles, and I would soon receive A miracle of miracles sent down just for me? Now, I believe in miracles—for a miracle, I did see! |
