May this prayer guide using the Book of Hebrews usher you to God's throne of grace on this 3rd weekend of Advent. (All scripture passages quoted here come
from the NLT.)
"Let us
be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe" (Hebrews 12:28).
Let’s pray…
ADORATION:
-Long ago, O God, you spoke many times and in many ways to
our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days you have spoken
to us through your Son, Jesus Christ.
-Father, we praise you that through your Son you created the
universe.
-We praise you that Jesus radiates your glory.
-We praise you that Jesus sustains everything by the mighty
power of his command.
-We praise you for how Jesus cleansed us from our sins and
sat down in the place of honor at your right hand, our majestic God and
Heavenly Father (based on Hebrews 1:1-4).
CONFESSION:
-Heavenly Father, your Word says, “the word of God is alive
and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between
soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts
and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked
and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable" (Hebrews 4:12-13).
-By your
Holy Spirit, help us to confess to you those things that need to
be brought out of the darkness and into your light. SILENCE.
ASSURANCE:
-Jesus is “our eternal High Priest in the order of
Melchizedek” and “his priesthood lasts forever" (Hebrews 6:20).
-Therefore remind us today that Jesus, “is able, once and
forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to
intercede with God on” our behalf (based on Hebrews 7:24-25).
Church, rest in this assurance!
THANKSGIVING:
-“Let us be thankful and please God” by expressing to Him the
wonderful things He has done on our behalf (based on Hebrews 12:28).
SUPPLICATION:
-Father I pray for the believers here at ____________, in ______________ and
around the world that we “will move forward to further understanding” of you and
your ways this Advent and Christmas season and in 2014 (Hebrews 6:3).
-Gracious God, help us to “remember our leaders who teach us
the word of God” and so we pray for _________________. May he do his pastoring work
“with joy and not with sorrow” as he “watches over our souls and is accountable
to” You (Hebrews 13:7, 17).
-In this Advent/Christmas season especially, but in all the
year through, help us to “continue in brotherly love,” “to show hospitality to
strangers,” and to “remember those in prison…and those being mistreated” (Hebrews
13:1-3).
-Father we know that “faith is the confidence that what we
hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot
see.” To your glory and honor, may our will be conformed to your will as we
wait on you in faith (Hebrews 11:1).
-“Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God” with
our SILENT requests for it is
“there we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we
need it most” (Hebrews
4:16).
CLOSING:
-Therefore, because we have been forgiven of our sin, “let
us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily
trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews
12:1).
-As we prepare our hearts for your First Advent when you
came as the Christ child; help us to also prepare for your Second Advent when
you “will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all
who are eagerly waiting for you"(-based
on Hebrews 9:28).
Jesus, you are “the same yesterday, today, and forever” and
it is in this unchanging name that we pray. (-based
on Hebrews 13:9)
And all God’s people said, AMEN!
