Prayer Plan // January 2022

What better thing to shape our prayer life than God’s own Word? When we engage God’s word, there are three key things we can do to get the most out of it. Read. Reflect. Respond. Read through the text. Reflect on what you just read. What stands out? What questions do you have? What did you learn about God? Yourself? And finally Respond. God speaks to us through His Word. As we take in what He has given us, it is natural to reply back to Him in prayer. This month we are looking at Hebrews 4:1-16.

Scripture
Hebrews 4:14-16
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (emphasis added)

Reflection
Before Jesus, the only way one could confidently ‘draw near’ to God would have been because of the High Priest making an animal sacrifice on their behalf to pay for their sin. At that point, their slate would have been wiped clean and they would have been able to draw near without consequence. 
This system, while given to the Israelites by God and useful in its time, was limited. The sacrifice of animals was not all-encompassing. It paid for specific sins that they would have committed. This meant that as they sinned again, there had to be a new sacrifice. 
This is not so today. Because Jesus, the great High priest, sacrificed himself - once and for all - those who place their faith in Him are declared righteous in God's sight for good. His grace covers all of our sins. Past, present, and future. 
Thanks to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - we can confidently “draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” So draw near. This is what God desires.