When their son was named John, Zechariah’s voice came back, and his first words were a hymn of praise, the Benedictus. The Church has prayed it every morning for well over a thousand years. The Roman Martyrology remembers Zechariah and Elizabeth together on 5 November.
Historical Context
The Benedictus (Luke 1:68-71, 76-79)
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel;
for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David;
as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
that we should be saved from our enemies.
…
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest:
for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
through the tender mercy of our God;
whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
A November 5 Prayer
Lord, Zechariah and Elizabeth waited for years and kept faith.
For everything I’m still waiting for, give me their patience.
When you answer, loosen my tongue to praise you.
Amen.
For Couples Hoping for a Child
Lord, as you heard Zechariah and Elizabeth, hear us.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On 5 November.
- Each morning, with the Benedictus.
- When waiting a long time for an answer to prayer.
Scripture Connection
“And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child.” — Luke 1:6-7
Luke puts “righteous” and “no child” side by side. Unanswered prayer isn’t a sign of God’s disfavour. Sometimes the answer is still coming.
Related prayers
For couples hoping for a child, see the Prayer to St Gerard and IVF Prayer. For Gabriel, the St Gabriel Prayer.