Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Understand and find comfort in the fact that Jesus prays for us, interceding on our behalf, which is a testament to God's profound love for us.
Good morning, family. What a blessing it is to be gathered here today in the presence of God.
There's a beautiful quote from A.W. Tozer that says, "God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which he must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves." Let that sink in, brothers and sisters. When we understand that Jesus, the Son of God, is praying for us, it brings an immeasurable peace to our hearts.
Let's delve into the Word to further understand this. In Luke 22:32, Jesus says to Peter,
"But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Here, Jesus is not just talking to Peter, but to all of us. His prayers are for each and every one of us.
Let's bow our heads and open our hearts as we invite the Lord's presence.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this precious moment to gather in Your name. As we delve into Your Word today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to truly understand the depth of Your love for us — a love so profound that Jesus, Your Son, intercedes on our behalf. Help us to find peace and strength in this truth. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Now, let's dive in.
The concept that Jesus prays for us is a testament to the depth of His love for us, and it is a source of strength and reassurance in our times of need. To fully grasp the significance of this, we need to understand the nature of prayer and the role of Jesus as our intercessor.
Prayer: In its simplest form, it’s a conversation with God. It is a means by which we express our thoughts, feelings, and desires to Him. When we pray, we acknowledge our dependence on God and our trust in His wisdom and power. But prayer is not just about asking God for things. It is also about aligning our will with His and seeking His guidance and direction in our lives.
Consider this: If prayer is such a vital part of our relationship with God, how much more significant is it that Jesus, the Son of God, prays for us? The Bible tells us in Romans 8:34 that Jesus is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. This means that Jesus is advocating for us, pleading our case before the Father. He is presenting our needs, our struggles, our hopes, and our dreams to God.
Can transform our understanding of our relationship with God: It means that we are not alone in our struggles. It means that we have an advocate in the highest places. It means that our prayers are heard and that our needs are known.
Why does Jesus pray for us?: The answer lies in His love for us. Jesus loves us so much that He gave His life for us. His love is so deep and so profound that He continues to be involved in our lives even after His ascension into heaven. He prays for us because He cares for us and because He wants the best for us.
His understanding of our human condition: As a man, Jesus experienced the full range of human emotions and struggles. He knows what it is like to be tempted, to be afraid, to be in pain, and to feel alone. Because of this, He can pray for us with empathy and understanding. He can intercede for us in a way that no one else can.
A source of strength and reassurance: When we are going through difficult times, it can be comforting to know that Jesus is praying for us. His prayers remind us that we are not alone, that our struggles are known, and that we have a powerful advocate on our side.
Can inspire us to pray for others: Just as Jesus intercedes for us, we can intercede for others. We can bring their needs, their struggles, and their hopes before God. In doing so, we can participate in the work of God and contribute to the building of His kingdom.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about how prayer has affected your life. If you give a specific and clear example it could encourage others to do the same.
The power of Jesus' intercession is the understanding that Jesus, the Son of God, stands in the gap for us, pleading our case before the Father ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO