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THE PRAYER WARRIOR

Another important part of a high priest’s day consisted of prayer. Because God called him to do it, his prayers were powerful. Can you imagine Aaron’s surprise when he saw God’s spectacular response to his prayers in Egypt?

The ten plagues that came over Egypt were operated by prayer. Each devastating plague stopped by the power of prayer. “Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged, ‘Plead with the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people’… So Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh’s palace, and Moses cried out to the Lord about the frogs… And the Lord did just what Moses had predicted” (Exodus 8:12-13, NLT). And it was no different during Jesus’ time of ministry on earth.

When Jesus was on earth, He did his miracles through prayer. For example, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead because Jesus asked his Father to do it through Him. “So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me’” (John 11:41-42, NLT).

I can think of many reasons why God answered Jesus’ prayers, but Hebrews 5 tells us that it was his perfect respect and reverence for the Father. “While Jesus was here on earth he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the only one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God” (v. 7, NLT). By Jesus’s death and resurrection, we have the same privilege of having our prayers answered through Him.

Our perfect High Priest made a way for our prayers to have amazing authority. “‘At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name’” (John 16:23, NLT). And instead of visiting our High Priest in the tabernacle only, his Name is always available to us.

Do you believe God will answer all prayers in his beloved Son’s name? How does it change your prayer life when you think about Jesus’ position as our High Priest?

Let us step into the Most Holy place of the Father’s favor by praying in our High Priest Jesus’ name. “‘I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. (John 14:12-13, NLT).