DECEMBER 12, Hebrews 4:14-16

Besides the Bible, we have another privilege to help us grow in our spiritual walk–prayer. God wants us to approach Him boldly in prayer at all times. He desires His children to speak to Him freely, openly and frequently without fear. As a child of God, what is hindering you from speaking to God freely and praying to Him boldly?

We can never be good enough to earn a right relationship with God. Rather it is who Jesus is and what He has done that makes it possible for you to pray. Jesus represents us before God. With Jesus representing you, God no longer holds your sin against you. God now sees the righteousness of Jesus when He sees you. Jesus’ perfect obedience as a man and His death on the cross makes Him our perfect representative before God. As verse 14 tells us, He is “passed into the heavens”. Isn’t that a great assurance? We can pray with boldness because our confidence in prayer is based solely on Jesus as our Risen Saviour.

Boldness in prayer also comes with knowing that Jesus empathises with us. To empathise is to be able to feel with and totally understand. Jesus is our empathising Saviour because He was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin (verse 15). He knows our feeble frame and every weakness we have. He is not an aloof or cold-hearted Saviour. Jesus can feel with us because He too is a man. The significant difference is that unlike us, Jesus is without sin. Therefore, He is the only one qualified to help us overcome our trials and temptations. We should not be afraid to pour out all our cares and worries in prayer. There is nothing too small that we cannot pray about, and nothing too big that He cannot help us with. We can pray boldly and without fear, for we have an empathising Saviour.

Prayer is running to God’s throne of grace. He invites all His children to meet Him there. And we may pray anywhere, anytime! God’s throne of grace is always available! Won’t you take advantage of this privilege, and run to God in prayer?

Thought: Thank God for Jesus!

Prayer: Father in Heaven, Thank You for Your throne of grace that is always available to me. Thank You for Jesus and that because of Him, I can run to You in prayer. Remove all hindrances to prayer and help me not to waver in faith, but to always come boldly to Your throne of grace. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.