And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zechariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell on him. But the angel said to him, “Do not fear, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard. And your wife, Elizabeth, shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” Luke 1:11-13
Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, appeared to Zacharias while Zacharias was offering incense in the temple and told him not to be afraid, because his prayer had been heard and his wife, Elizabeth, would bear him a son, whom he was to name John. Though Zacharias’ prayer may have been years ago while Elizabeth was still in her childbearing years, God answered it in His own time and for His purpose: to send John — God is gracious — into the world to prepare His people for the coming of the Lord, their Messiah and Savior.
Hear my prayers, O God, and grant them in accord with Your perfect will and purpose that I may repent of my sinful ways and trust in Jesus, Your Son, and my Savior, for forgiveness, pardon, and life everlasting. Amen.
[Scripture quotations are taken from the Barbour Simplified KJV, copyright 2022, 2025. Used by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc. Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683. All rights reserved.]