1 Timothy 5:2-6 KJV
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
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.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

Where do women learn to serve but in the home. From girlhood to adulthood, good parents teach their children first responsibility of caring for not only the home but serving in the home. It taught to boys has well, They are not exempt. This sounds like modern day philosphy but it is Bible. When we get to the the reality of it, when we prayed as children we learn to talk to God but as adults we do more then just talk but we question in our speeches to God when we hit the trouble roads of faith. Childlike prayer far different then adult that is praying.

What does this have to do with widowhood? When your young and your mate dies, you might bounce, be working, meet another guy, your prayer life maybe not so intact as it is when your older. Old age you learn to be more resilent about praying. You maybe more resilent or more constant with being a prayer warrior for Jesus. You learn to pray many times in the course of one's faith, but it when you really grasp the value of prayer, when you really see things change because of Jesus that helps you understand the value of prayer it will be more consistent in daily prayer, and it be more functioning in your life.

A widow with children or nephews and niece might be said to be blessed if they care about her. Yet to learn to pray and watch is what widowhood and old age is about. It that time of life you know you can not fix the problems yourself, hopefully you learn that lesson long before old age. In old age you come to place even if self suficient that you as individuals you will need asistance perhaps at some point. You may learn early on.

Naomi in the book of Ruth knew the trip back home to Israel would be difficult trip for her. She was still strong to a point. However her daughter in laws would be better left in society they knew well then going to a land of different customs. Ruth having lost her own husband knew her mother in law loved her and she needed her help. Ruth's sister inlaw cared about Naomi, but knew she could return to her people which she did. One having more of a heart to helping her mother inlaw then the other one. yet both making decisions that were best for them. Ruth upon reaching Israel began to care for her mother in law still by picking barley in the grain fields, while Naomi stayed home. She maybe was to old to work a full day I do not know, however her mother inlaw helped Ruth with her people customs that were different then the land of the Moabites.

Naomi was a widow cared for by her daughter law Ruth because she was to old to consider marrying again but Ruth was able to marry again. Who was the prayer perhaps Naomi. Who cares for you where you are right now. You might not need help. However one day you might. You alone don't fret, God is able to send you people in your life when the time is right. God is able to do things we can not on our own sometimes. How do we get help, how do we learn to pray and tend to the needs of others ourself, by prayer and fasting.

Anna a prophetess, lived in the Temple. The Temple was probably feeding her. Probably also tending to her needs as she aged. Her life was one of dedication to the Lord and prayer. She was widow. The book of Timothy is in New Testament and Paul is talking to Timothy about widows and how to instruct them. Ruth is Old Testament but it shows how two women pulled together to help each other. How can we ourselves aid those growing old, How we help those in need. Widows maybe praying, but we too as younger folks need older friends around us. Do we reach out in help. Over the years there been time I helped people and time I did nothing. As people become able to work, they learn to make sacrifices, learn to cope with their struggle. They learn to give in and allow people to help from time to time. Paul tells Timothy to instruct the widows to continue to pray in faith as they had learn to pray as young people and into adulthood. To pray as they know how to pray. Some of the best warriors of faith are in nursing homes today, and they are still praying for those around them. Sometimes our older people learn to pray because of their great need to survive in this world, because of the lack of income in their life.

Dear Heavenly Father, be with the widows of our world, guide them in prayer for your people for our nation and for the lost of this world. Help them to prepare for your coming, knowing that they will have your help in times of trouble and struggle in their life. That you never leave or foresake your people. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Luke 2:36-38 KJV
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.