Creatures of Habit: Prayer Muestra

Prayer: The Hope of The Habit 

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV). 

Mercy and grace in our time of need. 

Friends, there is hope. In our time of need there is hope. We have access to the very presence of God. In his presence, we will receive compassion, not punishment, and we will find free and unmerited favor. This is worth repeating. In God’s presence, we will be met with compassion and favor! Don’t rush past the hope of that statement. 

But how can this be true? What is the basis of our confidence? Better yet, Who is the basis of our confidence?

Jesus. Who was tempted in every way, but lived a sinless life. The one who empathizes with our weakness.

Jesus. Who was put to death on the cross, but now lives and is at the right hand of his Father. The one who is able and willing to save. 

Jesus. Who is the pioneer and perfecter of faith. The one who helps us hold firmly to the faith we have been given. 

Our confidence is him. Our boast is him alone. We can come to prayer with confidence and hope because of Jesus. We come without fear of punishment, we come without the need to strive and prove. We can come to our God who is compassionate, and gracious, and abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 145) and we can know those things to be true, because of Jesus. 

Prayer is so much more than an item on your checklist. It is your direct line to hope. And this hope is an anchor for your soul.

• What does God’s mercy and grace mean for your life?
• How does hope affect your ability to continue in this habit of prayer?

Read Hebrews 4:13-16, Hebrews 12:1-3, and Hebrews 6:13-20 and pray with confidence, knowing that you can receive mercy and find grace because of Jesus.