email : Webview : Duane Brooks - Every Day with Jesus

March 7, 2018

Hebrews 10:19-22

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

New International Version (NIV)

                 How do you and I pray? If you filled in the blank with an adverb, how would you finish this sentence: I pray ____________.   Regularly, fervently, quietly, infrequently, desperately, reluctantly, sleepily? How do we pray?

                The writer of Hebrews twice speaks about coming into God’s presence boldly. Why would we pray boldly? Every time we pray we enter through the blood of Jesus. His death opened a new door into God’s presence. Even more, he intercedes for us as we pray. Paul says the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf as well. We pray by grace just as we are saved by grace. We come boldly into God’s presence not because of what we have done but because of what Christ has done.

                Praying with fellow pastors in Africa illuminated this for me. My friends in Zambia pray with such fervor and trust as they enter God’s presence. If I am not careful, I can go through the motions in prayer. My prayer can be merely perfunctory, routine, out of habit. But when I prayed with them I heard a desperation and boldness which I had not typically experienced.

                Perhaps this is what the disciples heard when they listened to Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, before they went to sleep. But if so, how could they sleep? How can we slumber in prayer? When we pray today, let us enter his presence boldly, hopefully. We are not in this alone!

Pray with me:

Father, we thank you for making a way for us to enter your presence today. Thank you for Jesus, whose blood cleanses our conscience and gives us confidence to pray. Let our hearts be true to you as we draw near in full assurance of faith today. Fill us with your hope. Help us to encourage each other. Bless us as we gather together in worship. Change the way we pray. Change us we pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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