The prophetic prayer of Simeon

In Exodus 2:2 and again in verse 12, the Lord God told His people to dedicate every firstborn male to Him. As devout Jews, who followed God’s instructions, Mary and Joseph presented the Baby Jesus in the Temple.

As God-incidence would have it, an elderly man named Simeon arrived at just the right moment to greet the young family. Simeon had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Messiah, Whom the Holy Spirit had assured him that he would live to see.

Taking the newborn into his arms, Simeon knew this was The One he’d been waiting for, and so he praised God and prayed a prayer that astonished the Baby’s parents:

 

Luke 2:29-32 – the prophetic prayer of Simeon
as translated in the King James Version of the Bible

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant

depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared

before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles,

and the glory of thy people Israel.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Sayler

 

Luke 2:29-32 – the prophetic prayer of Simeon
as paraphrased into contemporary English

And now, Lord, Your bond-servant

can go in peace,

for You have kept Your word,

and my eyes have witnessed Your

salvation –

the salvation You prepared

in the presence of all nations –

the Light You revealed to everyone,

the glory You have with Your people.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Sayler

 

As we approach Christmas week, may the Light of Christ be born anew in us as we praise the Lord God and thank Him for the wonderful gift of His Son. Amen.

 

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