Praying for the impossible

Some things gleaned from yesterday morning's devotional time in Luke 1, about the parents of John the Baptist:

v. 5-7, 11-13, 23-25 (emphasis mine)
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."

So you've got the priest Zechariah and his wife who are faithful followers of God, living uprightly and in the public eye (since the priests had very specific roles in the nation of Israel). Since they're in the public eye, the fact that they're childless is probably that much more of a disgrace and a shame, since that culture (and most cultures around the world, modern America is unusual). They're also old and well past childbearing age. God performs a miracle and Elizabeth becomes pregnant, she gives thanks for Him "taking away my disgrace among the people," and John the Baptist is born and eventually prepares the way for Jesus.

What I find interesting about this passage is italicized - the visiting angel implies that Zechariah and his wife have prayed/been praying for a child, even though it was physiologically impossible. In my mind as I visualize this, you have this elderly God-fearing couple who has lived for years with the shame of having no child/heir. Maybe they tried for years. Perhaps they view the sympathy from others as patronizing. Whatever it was, their circumstances led them to cry out to God for a miracle - praying not just for the improbable, but the physiologically impossible. And God, knowing that John the Baptist would play an integral role in the preparation and beginning of His Son's ministry, granted a child to them in order to bring glory to Himself:

v. 57, 65-66
When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him.

Ultimately, God may do what seems to be impossible to our eyes so that "people would talk about all these things." This is challenging me to pray in a different light. Maybe someday I'll have the privilege of witnessing the impossible.