Mary's Prayer

MARY’S PRAYER
An angel named Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary in Nazareth. He said to her, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women”. (Luke 1:28) This proclamation was a humbling honor. Gabriel went on to explain to Mary that she was going to have a son and he was to be named Jesus. He also informed Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth, was six months pregnant, also with a son.

Shortly following that announcement, Mary rushed to Elizabeth's home where another extraordinary thing happened. When Mary first encountered Elizabeth and opened her mouth to speak, John, Elizabeth’s son, jumped with excitement inside her womb. It states that Elizabeth at that moment spoke loudly these words, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things, which were told her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:42 – 45)

Elizabeth’s statement concerning Mary, “blessed is she that believed,” authenticates to us that Mary believed the words that were spoken to her and that this miracle could and would happen.

Overjoyed by all that was happening, Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit and prayed a prayer proclaiming her love to the Lord. In her prayer, she confirms the Old Testament words spoken many years earlier to Abraham and his descendents. She also proclaims the blessing for the generations to come.

Mary’s Spirit Filled Prayer

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.” (Luke 1:46 – 55)