Luke chapter 1 verse 5. Luke chapter 1 verse 5. The Bible reads like this. There was in the days of Herod the king of Judea a certain priest named Zacharias of the courts of Abbai. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless. They had no child because Elizabeth was barren. They both were now well stricken in years. It came to pass that while he executed the priest's office before God, the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. The whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zacharias saw him, he was troubled and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard. And thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth, for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God, and he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Father, thank You for the privilege to pray. Thank You for the reading of the Word of God. Thank You for preserving Your Word unto this generation. Thank You for the portion You've directed our heart to I'm keenly conscious and aware tonight that I'm just a dying man preaching to dying men, women, boys, and girls. And I pray you'd have mercy upon me and have mercy upon this dear people that await my words. And for a few moments hide us in the cross. And Lord, I pray that you'd, I breathe on us a fresh in you and enable us, empower us, and permit us to preach. Oh dear Lord, I pray for that unction and utterance that no man can preach without tonight. I pray Lord you'd use us for your honor and for your glory. May the word of God go forth from these lips of clay in the power and the demonstration of the spirit of God. May the word of God find lodging in our lives. May sinners be convicted and converted tonight. May saints be revived and refreshed. Oh, dear Lord, tonight may we leave here drawn closer to you. I pray, Lord, that through the preaching of the word of the Lord, your name would be glorified and magnified. Help us now for Jesus' sake, and, Lord, what you're pleased and privileged to do in, through, and for us. We'll bow our unworthy head and thank you for every bit of it. For I ask what I ask in Jesus' wonderful name. Amen. Thank you for standing. In verse number 13, the angel said to Zacharias what I want to preach to you about tonight. The angel said to Zacharias as he was there burning incense in the temple, thy prayer is heard. Thy prayer is heard. I'm thankful tonight that God is a God that hears prayer and answers prayer tonight. I bless his name for that, don't you? It was David that cried in 2 Samuel chapter 22 and verse number seven. In my distress I called upon the Lord and cried to my God and he did hear my voice out of his temple and my cry did enter his ears. What a blessing that God would hear our prayer tonight. Here is Zacharias. You followed along as I read the scripture tonight that tells us who Zacharias was. That he's married to this woman Elizabeth. that my friend, he is of the course of Abiah. That is, of the 24 courses that David numbered, he's of this eighth course, Abiah, and his responsibility was to go to the temple twice in the year and offer incense at the golden altar. Here's Zacharias, and he's doing as he is, of course, his requirement is. As he is making that sacrifice, and my friend, using, my friend, that incense there, and as the others are gathered around praying, The angel of the Lord appears to him on the right side of the altar and astonishes Zacharias. He's so fearful that the angel said, fear not, thy prayer is heard. Thy prayer is heard. Oh, how wonderful tonight when he hears our prayer. The psalm says, I know he heard my prayer. Thank God. I'm glad he heard my prayer. Are you glad he heard yours tonight? I'm glad he didn't stop when I got saved. But I'm glad he's still hearing and answering prayer tonight. He is that God, amen? And so hear this prayer that was heard. May I say to you tonight, first of all, this prayer that was heard was a prayer I bet the answer was delayed. The answer was delayed. But the prayer was not denied. Are you listening to me tonight? The answer was delayed. Can I say I believe? I bet this prayer, that this angel remarks to Zacharias and then he tells Elizabeth and then Elizabeth talks about how the Lord had removed the reproach off of her. I believe this prayer began with this couple after they were married and in their younger days. But here now is Zacharias and he's well stricken in years, his wife is well stricken in years. And I think they've ceased to pray. I think they have not asked him, the Lord, anymore. for a son or for a child, for they understand that as far as their age and their physical ability, they can't have a son, but I'm telling you, God heard their prayer. I don't know when he heard it, I don't know when he marked it out, I might fend off and listen to their prayer, but he delays and he waits until this moment to answer that prayer. How often have we prayed and felt like because the answer was delayed and the prayer was denied. But can I remind you tonight, thank God, quite often there are prayers that we may have forgot we prayed, but the Lord does not forget. And the Lord, amen, is well aware of what we prayed, when we prayed, and knows the opportune and the right time to answer that prayer, amen. Are you listening? In the book of Daniel, I marveled that Daniel was told by the angel that appeared to him. In Daniel chapter 10 and verse 12, the angel said, thy words were heard, amen, and I am come. my words, but said it's been 21 days. Not that you were not heard. When you began to pray, you were heard. But because my friend, the angel of the prince of Persia, withstood me, but I'm come, it's been 21 days, but I'm here to answer. of that prayer. Are you hearing me tonight? Can I say to some of you tonight, there are prayers that you have prayed, and I'm feeling that you feel like, because there's been such a delay, that God has denied it. God said no, but I'm telling you tonight, there may be a day when you'll be surprised. I want to have a little stir. Visit the place where you're at. and says thy prayer is heard, amen. Oh thy prayer is heard. Thank God for a God that does answer prayer, amen. And so though the prayer was delayed, as far as an answer, it was not denied. But by the Lord, that gives me confidence tonight. That gives me courage. As a matter of fact, my grandmother on my father's side used to say, I've prayed some prayers that I may never see answered, but I believe God will answer them even if he answers them after I'm gone, hallelujah. And sure enough, he's that kind of God, amen. Can I say to you, thank God, I never quit praying, never. I quit believing, or trusting God. In the matter of prayer, can I say to you, there was no word from God, but there was no reason not to give a word to God. Amen. Although God was silent for 400 years, and silent in the life, of Zacharias and Elizabeth. Thank God. Oh, there was the blessed assurance that the prayer had been heard. Amen. Oh, bless his name tonight. Thank God. May I say to you, not only was it a prayer that though delayed was not denied, can I say it was a distinct prayer. Here is Zacharias with that incense and smoking and fogging up that holy place and bearing the prayers of the people as he's in the temple there. The Bible said the whole multitude standing without while he's in there holding my friend that incense and they are praying, amen. But did you notice what the angel said? Thy prayer is heard. and not everybody else. Oh, how many were praying, I don't know. Hey God, how many were there? It was a multitude. But he said, Zacharias, thy prayer is heard. Oh, bless his name tonight. Thank God, hallelujah. Isn't it wonderful tonight that you and I, as lowly as we are, as little as we are, hallelujah. It's unworthy and undeserving as we are. Thank God. And though there are other prayers, and we'll thank God. He said, thy prayer has been heard. Amen. That makes me want to pray some more. Amen? Thank God for those times that He heard instantly. But thank God for those times that He heard and delayed the answer, didn't deny the prayer. Hey God, but monitor as good as done. Hey God, but according to His providential will and His purpose and grace. Hey God, wait until the right time and ascend the answer. Amen. Oh, bless his name. Thank God. Hallelujah. It was a distinct prayer. And I guess it's obvious tonight, but let me say this. It was a desired prayer. Amen. Oh, by Elizabeth making the statement. Amen. Hallelujah. Oh, to her making the statement, my friend, that God had removed her reproach. Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in removing my reproach from among men. We know that there was a great desire in her heart for God to answer her prayer. Amen? I'm glad God did, aren't you? Amen. Bless his name. Oh, thank God. The Bible tells us in 1 John 5, verse 14, and this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him. Amen? It was Hannah, ain't God, that prayed in 1 Samuel, ain't God, chapter one, and verse 27, bringing Samuel, ain't God, to lend him back to the Lord. And Eli said, what's this? What's this, child? What's these offerings you're made? And she said, in verse 27, for this child, I prayed, and the Lord hath given me my petition, which I ask, of Him. Amen? In other words, He heard my prayer. Amen? Are you listening to me tonight? Thank God. It was a desired prayer. And I desired it so much, my friend, that her husband could not understand. I know He had been good to her. Although he had given her a bath, what Panini and her children had, and give her a worthy portion, he couldn't understand. I have a desire in her heart for God to remove the reproach and take away the taunting, thank God, and the criticism of this other woman, are you hearing me? But God heard, are you listening? May I say to you, God waited until Hannah got to the place and said, Lord, if you'll give me that man child, I'll give him back to you all the days of his life. God said, that's a bargain I've been waiting on. That's a requirement I've been wanting. Oh, hear me. You've got to the place now. I need a boy. I need a child. I need a son. I need a man. Eli's dying. His two sons. I cannot fulfill the office. And though you've been barren, I'm gonna bless you and make it fruitful for you'll give me the man that'll take Eli's place. Thy prayer is heard. Amen. Oh, no doubt Abraham and Sarah prayed. Amen. And God could have given Abraham a son when he brought him out of Ur, the Chaldees. Amen. Are you listening? At age 75, but he waited 25 years later Amen. And gave him a son. But between that time, that he come out of error in the time, that he held Isaac in his arms and laughed. And Sarah laughed and everybody around him laughed. Because his name was Isaac. Which meant life to her. There were some experiences that Abraham and Sarah had with God. They could have never had God answer that prayer when they come out of the county. But now, Abraham's become God's friend. Anybody hearing me tonight? I'm telling you, friend, God pray. Pray according to his will. And when there is no answer from God, up from above. Hey, God, trust him. Hey, God, rely on him. Hey, wait on him. Hey, be patient. Hey, and in due time, he will hear all he's already heard. He will answer that prayer. Amen? Bless his name. Hallelujah. I believe there's some prayers that's already been heard tonight that just haven't been answered yet. Amen. Now, if God had answered the prayer, he heard the prayer, but had he answered it when Zacharias and Elizabeth were but young folk and a young couple, Amen. Would they have spent all their time taking care of that child and neglecting their other duties? Amen. Hallelujah. Amen. Or would they have chose how to fulfill all their other responsibilities and duties and neglected the child? But now, he's an old man and she's an old woman. Hallelujah. It's just the way it is, amen. They're well stricken in years. And I'm telling you, when that baby comes in their life, hey God, he consumes their world. Hey God, he occupies their world. There ain't nothing else. Oh, you're hearing me tonight. but to tend to this child, God had it to be so, where he could use that child. Anybody hear me tonight? Oh, help me, Lord. Amen. Lord, help us tonight. I wanna tell you tonight, the reason God gives you children is for you to mold and to make and to conform. Are y'all hearing me tonight? Oh, it's not grandma and grandpa's job. It's an uncle's job. Are y'all hearing me? It's yours, amen. Thank God that's your first job, that's your first responsibility. Hallelujah. It's not the public school. A place, hallelujah. Well, hallelujah. And it's not the Christian schools. At first and primary, are y'all hearing me? Thank God if you don't do what you need to do as a parent, they can't do what they need to do. Are y'all listening to me tonight? God help us. But here's a man and a woman. are devoted to a child in their whole age, and God's going to use this child to turn the hearts of His people back to Him, and to prepare the way of the Lord. Amen. God had his timing just right. Mine may be off. Yours may be off. I may be behind or ahead, but God's never behind. God's never ahead. He does everything exactly on time. Amen? Hallelujah. Thy prayer has been heard. Amen. And I want to say thank God one more time tonight for a God that hears prayer and answers prayer in due course. And he did with this elderly couple by the name of Zacharias and Elizabeth. Amen. Hallelujah. And if he's heard your prayer, oh my. Oh my. Then just wait. Just wait till the answer gets here. Hallelujah. It's not been denied. He's just delaying the answer. Wait on it. Be of good courage. Fear not. Hallelujah. He knows what he's doing. Amen. Oh. Oh. in the matter of that prayer and in your own life tonight, hallelujah. And what development, hallelujah. Oh, what grace, what learning, what trust, what friendship, what fellowship, what closeness you and God can have while you wait on Him to answer the prayer that He's heard. My prayer is heard.