Luke 1:72-75

‘To show mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, the oath which he spoke to Abraham our father, to grant to us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.’

All Israel looked to the promises that God had made to Abraham. He had promised, no, sworn, in His holy covenant with Abraham (holy because God-initiated) that Abraham’s seed would be ‘blessed’. And this could only mean their being brought into a position of peace and safety, with all enemies thrust aside, and they themselves being righteous, so that they could serve God fully, without fear, and in holiness (separation to God) and righteousness (walking in accordance with His revealed requirements) all their days (compare Luke 1:77 which describes how this could be possible). This was the Jewish dream among those who were piously looking for God to act. Deliverance without, and transformation within. For them at least there was no thought of deliverance without a change of heart (as the angel had already explained when describing what John would do - Luke 1:15-17). Again God would fulfil His promises through Jesus, but in His teaching the emphasis would turn to the heavenly Kingdom. This world would be a period of tribulation leading up to the final deliverance (John 16:33; Acts 14:22).

So he prays that God will remember His holy covenant and bring them to a position where they can live in peace and safety, and live righteously before Him (compare Psalms 106:45; Leviticus 26:42; Leviticus 26:45; Jeremiah 14:21; Ezekiel 16:60).

Note how Zacharias has justified the fact that God selected him. His great concern is that Israel once more become godly, and walk in the fear (reverential awe) of the Lord.