I know the last blog I wrote was about prayer, but I feel like this topic needs extra emphasis. In my last blog, we discussed how the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. And the key action we focused on was becoming more righteous. This post will also be objective based or purpose driven one.
Hebrews 5:7 reads, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”
The first thing I want to focus on is how Jesus prayed. It says he prayed with loud cries and tears... I don’t know about you, but I don’t remember the last time I prayed like that. As Christians, that should be concerning and at the very least, thought provoking. When we decided to follow Christ, we not only made a commitment to follow the rules Jesus laid out, but also strive to follow Jesus‘ actions. I’m not saying we should all go out and make a big scene the next time we pray in church, but I do think we should all consider the way we pray and how awesome our God is.
The next key section is how Jesus was heard. It says right at the end He was heard because of his reverent submission. Reverent literally means “showing great respect and admiration” and submission means “when a person or group allows someone or something to have power over them.” So when you put 2 and 2 together, Jesus’ prayers were heard because he showed great respect and admiration towards God and allowed God to have power over Himself. These are two concepts that I see lacking in the Church today...
In Hillsong United’s song, Rescue, it says “falling on my knees in worship, giving all I am to seek your face, Lord all I am is yours. My whole life I place in your hands, God of mercy humbled I bow down, in your presence, at your throne.” This should literally be how we behave towards God: falling to our knees, placing our whole life in his hands, and bowing down in humility. As I’ve been reading through the old testament, I’ve connected a phrase that sums up how we need to be: God-fearing.
This concept is becoming one of my long-term goals. That I need to be so God-fearing, or reverent towards God, that my only response can be falling to my knees in worship. To seek Him earnestly in prayer, with tears and loud cries. And if you’ve forgotten from my last post, this is on top of my pursuit of righteousness (for powerful and effective prayer!). Above all else, I am seeking to follow God with my whole heart.
Challenge accepted.
