Topic: Your Powerhouse Prayer Team – Daily Devotional by Proverbs 31 Ministries 4 June 2021
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Your Powerhouse Prayer Team
“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.” Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
Editor’s Note: Something exciting is ahead! Beginning June 7, our devotions will have a fresh, updated look! Plus, we’ve reorganized the content below the devotion into new categories: Our Favorite Things, Engage and For Deeper Study. We hope you enjoy this beautiful new look as you continue to study God’s Word with us!
“Mom! I need help!” my daughter shouted from the kitchen. Sure enough, when I walked in, I found her covered in powdered sugar. I can’t count the times I have turned the mixer on high speed, only to have a cloud of sugar rain down in the kitchen. Chuckling, I told her we could have that mess cleaned up in no time.
I love that my daughter could call for me in confidence, knowing I would understand and be ready to help.
But I admit I haven’t always approached my prayer life with the same level of confidence. There have been times when I haven’t come to God because my mistakes made me afraid. Would God be angry or disappointed with me? I’ve also been timid in prayer because I worried my requests were too small or trivial. Other times, my problems seemed so big and complicated that I didn’t know what to pray or where to begin.
The truth is, we have more understanding and help than we might even realize. In fact, we have a powerhouse prayer team because we have both the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ approaching God on our behalf.
The Holy Spirit is intimately connected to prayer. Romans 8:26 tells us that even when we don’t know what to pray or say, the Spirit Himself “… intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (ESV). Because the Spirit dwells inside of us, He also knows the specifics of our hearts, minds and situations. He fills in where our words fall short. There is nothing too big or too small for the Spirit to cover. We can truly bring everything to God in prayer, through the Spirit’s help.
Yet, this is not the only help we have. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus Christ also “… lives to make intercession …” for us (ESV). I’m not sure why I have incorrectly pictured Jesus in heaven, twiddling His thumbs while He waits to return. That is not the case. He is quite active. In fact, the Word says He lives to intercede on our behalf.
Jesus has a unique position for doing so as well. We learn in Hebrews 4:15 that because Jesus became a flesh and blood man, He understands us in a unique way. He, too, has suffered, been tempted and felt weak. He not only sympathizes; He also knows how to help. When we walk into God’s presence, Jesus is there, identifying with our struggles and knowing what we need.
What a powerhouse team we have: the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, interceding for us every moment of every day. Can you imagine the conversation in heaven? I picture the Trinity of God gathered in big comfy chairs. The Holy Spirit is explaining the details of my situation inside and out. Meanwhile, Jesus leans forward and chimes in, relating to how difficult that can be, listing some ideas that will help. All the while, the Father looks around and smiles, nodding, listening. And they do all of this, every day … for us.
As I draw near to the throne of grace, I can come with confidence, knowing that mercy, grace and friendly faces are waiting for me there. Father, Son and Spirit invite me to pull up a chair and pour out my heart, knowing I am understood and loved beyond measure.
Father God, thank You for Your love and goodness. Holy Spirit, thank You for knowing me so well and for filling in when words fail me. Jesus, thank You for understanding what I face and for knowing what it is I need. Help me to pray with confidence, remembering that You are with me and for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Hebrews 7:25, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (ESV)