Daughters Of Sarah: Anna

Books Worth Reading

Thoughts Concerning the King by Elizabeth Prentiss
Originally published in 1890, these selections from Elizabeth Prentiss' private papers represent the cream of her thoughts and relationship with the Lord. While simply a collection of quotes and poetry, the depth and insight of these quotations make this book a treasure indeed.

Children of the Storm by Natasha Vins
Natasha Vins tells the story of life as the daughter of the persecuted Russian pastor Georgi Vins.

Release the Power of Prayer by George Muller
George Muller testified that he had received at 50,000 specific answers to prayer. Read the powerful testimony of a man who looked to God for all needs and believed that God delights in the prayers of His children.

Studies In The Sermon On The Mount by Oswald Chambers
The Sermon on the Mount would bring us to despair apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. Oswald Chambers expounds on the meaning of these commands of Christ and shows us that Christ enables us to follow His teachings.

Mimosa: A True Story by Amy Carmichael
A young Indian girl one day heard of a Savior who loved her and from then on she chose to worship only Him even though for many years she could not remember His name. This story reveals the amazing power of our Savior's love.

If by Amy Carmichael
If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
This convicting book, in short, pointed sentences, reveals the true meaning of Calvary love.

Rose from Brier by Amy Carmichael
Written not from the well to the ill, but from the ill to the ill, this book contains the treasures of Amy Carmichael's spiritual life during the final years of her life. This collection of poetry, short stories, and encouragement for fellow-sufferers addresses many aspects of human suffering and points us to Calvary as the only source of peace and comfort.

Set-Apart Femininity: God's Sacred Intent for Every Young Woman by Leslie Ludy
In contrast to the shallow, selfish, pleasure seeking femininity found today, Set-Apart Femininity lays out a blueprint for life-changing, world altering femininity that is based on God's sacred call and purpose. This book calls young women to make an eternal impact on this world rather than indulge themselves in today's self-focused culture. Speaking forthrightly to the corruption of today's culture and its infiltration into the church, the message of this book drives deep into the heart of true set-apart femininity and the heart of God.

Golden hours: Heart-hymns of the Christian life by Elizabeth Prentiss
In this book, Elizabeth Prentiss puts into verse her experiences of both intense joy and suffering. Born out of a time of the darkest pain, these poems reflect the lessons learned by a life consecrated to God.

Essays on Various Subjects Principally Designed for Young Ladies by Hannah More
Written over 200 years ago, this thought-provoking collection of essays expounds on various qualities that are unique to femininity. Chapter topics include conversation, meekness, education, and religion. This book affirms the God-ordained distinctions between men and women and encourages young ladies to pursue excellence. A very refreshing book for those who desire to return to a Biblical pattern for womanhood.

Vanya by Myrna Grant
The story of a young Russian soldier whose faith did not die in the face of torture and martyrdom. The amazing miracles God did through his life fanned the flames of Christianity in Russia.

A Day's Time-Table by E. S. Elliott
Written over a century ago, this simple tale of one day in a young unmarried woman's life incorporates and reveals powerful truths concerning the relevance of God's Word to every detail of our lives. This fictional story is written in the style of a novel, yet is full of Scripture. God's design for womanhood flows throughout the book, untainted by modern feminism.

Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot
A collection of letters written to the author's daughter on the meaning of womanhood.

No Graven Image by Elisabeth Elliot
The fictional story of a young single woman missionary who is given the enormous task of starting a work among the Quichuas of the high Andes. As she begins her life as a missionary, she quickly learns that she is supposed to project an image of herself as a successful, spiritual missionary. Then something happens that shatters that image and she learns to put no created image, no matter how "spiritual", in the place of God.

The 1599 Geneva Bible
The original 1599 Geneva Bible with notes written by the reformers. Nothing has been updated except the spelling. This translation is characterized by simple and beautiful language that is surprisingly understandable even to modern readers.

Aunt Jane's Hero by Elizabeth Prentiss
The heartwarming story of a Christian couple seeking to establish a home whose happiness flows from a beautiful relationship with the Lord Jesus. Biblical truths about marriage and family life are interwoven throughout this lovely story.

Gold Cord by Amy Carmichael
The story of the Dohnavur Fellowship in Amy Carmichael's own words. An amazing testimony of the work of God.

They Found the Secret by V. Raymond Edman
This is a book about the exchanged life, the life that is of Christ. This collection of 20 short biographies of men and women who discovered the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will increase your desire to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in your own life. The Christian life is, first and foremost, about a mighty, resurrected Lord whose Spirit can indwell and completely transform those who surrender to Him.

Toward Jerusalem by Amy Carmichael
A collection of poetry and songs written for those who are about the King's business.

His Thoughts Said. . .His Father Said . . . by Amy Carmichael
The thoughts of a child of God are often troubled and questioning. The Father has an answer to all of them.

A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot
My favorite biography of Amy Carmichael. Full of excerpts from Amy's writings, this well-researched book gives us a glimpse into the life of one of the great lovers of God.

Love to the Uttermost by F. B. Meyer
An exposition of John 13-21. The author digs deep into the events of Jesus' last hours in order to bring us to a closer, passionate devotion to the Messiah.

God's Missionary by Amy Carmichael
"The Cross is the attraction." This fiery little book reveals Christ's standards for the true soldiers of the Cross.

Testament From Prison by Georgi Vins
A collection of personal testimonies, stories, sermons, letters, and poetry written by Georgi Vins, his family, and other persecuted Russian believers.

July 10th, 2010

Some women in Scripture are only mentioned in passing, yet through a few phrases we get a brief, yet significant glimpse into the life of a woman of God. Anna was such a woman. Although we are given only a few facts about her life, we see in her the tremendous blessings that come to a woman who trusts God.

Think of Joseph and Mary, entering the Temple with their newborn baby son, probably expecting to receive as much attention as any poor Jewish family. Think of their amazement and wonder when a man named Simeon prophesied over their tiny baby! And then an old, grandmotherly lady approaches who seems to know who they are. Now, there is nothing unusual about an elderly lady crooning over a baby, but this was no ordinary woman. She had known personal pain, yet had chosen to turn her suffering into an opportunity for service. When she found herself a widow at a young age, she chose to spend the rest of her life in the presence of the Lord in the temple. In spite of her own loss, she had lived with hope – the hope of the coming Messiah. She was now near the end of her life. Would the Lord reward her fastings and prayers with a glimpse of His Anointed – in the flesh?

I find it an amazing testimony of Anna’s faith, knowledge, and understanding that she immediately recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah. How did she know? I can only think that her years of service to the Lord gave her such a deep understanding of God that she was able to recognize the true Messiah when she saw Him. She passionately desired and looked forward to the coming of the Redeemer. I can only imagine Anna’s joyful, wrinkled face adoring the tiny little one who was the Hope of Israel – her Redeemer.

Anna gave thanks to the Lord in the temple, and then joyfully proclaimed His coming to all those who also hoped for the Messiah. The curtain closes on her life at that point almost as quickly as it opened. However, the brief glimpse Scripture gives us into the life of this woman teaches us about the blessings that God lavishes on women who hope in Him. From Anna’s life, we learn that suffering can be turned into an opportunity for joyful service, and that the Lord never, ever fails those who hope in Him.

(See Luke 2:36-38)

Would you like to share a story that you have written about a Godly woman? Just post your link in the comments section. I would love to read it! You can grab the code for the Daughters of Sarah graphic in my sidebar. Learn more about this meme here.