Luke 2
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Anna was an amazing woman. The Bible records that she lived as a virgin until her marriage and that she was married for only seven years. She was a widow of 84 years, or as some other translations have it – she had been a widow for 84 years, i.e. she was likely over 100 years old!
As her life is recorded in detail, so each of our lives are recorded in detail, and we will have to give account of everything we’ve ever thought, said or done. Woe to us if we haven’t been reconciled to God and our fellowmen whom we’ve wronged, and are called to account on the Judgement Day.
Anna continuously served God in the temple day and night. She did not depart from the temple.
1 Timothy 5
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
Here we see what a true widow is like. The Bible recommends that it is good that young widows marry and bear children, lest they fall into temptation, become busybodies, gossips and a burden to the church.
However, it is a great blessing if a widow serves God with all her heart night and day.