Praying Through God’s Word: Hebrews

Hebrews 1:1-2:9

We thank You, Lord, for Your Son, Jesus Christ. He is our Lord.  He came from heaven, where He is worshipped by angels (Hebrews 1:6). He is our Saviour. He came to earth where “He suffered death, so that, by the grace of God, He might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9). Help us, Lord, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus – to catch a glimpse of His heavenly glory and His saving grace.

Hebrews 2:10-3:19

We thank You, Lord, that You invite us to become Your “children” (Hebrews 2:13) – through faith in Your Son, Jesus (John 1:12). When we hear Your voice, calling us to come to Jesus, help us to open our hearts to Your love (Hebrews 3:7,15) – and receive Your Son as our Saviour.

Hebrews 4:1-5:10

When, Lord, You speak Your Word to us, You say to us, “Do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7). These are words that we need to keep on hearing – again and again. This may not be what we like to hear – but it’s what we need to hear. Help us to hear what You’re saying, to pray for Your “mercy” and “grace” (Hebrews 4:15-16), and to receive Your “eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).

Hebrews 5:11-6:20

You call us, Lord, to “go on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1). You’re showing us that there’s a very real “difference between good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). You’re calling us to leave sin behind (Romans 6:1-2) – and to press on to “the better things that belong to salvation” ((Hebrews 6:9). Help us to hear what You’re saying to us – Don’t become “sluggish” (Hebrews 6:12); “Take care that you don’t become “worthless and near to being cursed” (Hebrews 6:8); Pray for “earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end” (Hebrews 6:11). Help us, Lord, to listen to You, to learn from You, and to live for You.

Hebrews 7:1-28

“See how great he is!” (Hebrews 7:4). We read these words, Lord, and we think of Jesus. He’s the greatest man who ever lived. He’s so much more than a great man. He’s Your Son. He’s our Saviour. Thank You, Lord, for Jesus. Help us to come to Him and receive His great salvation.

Hebrews 8:1-9:14

“I will make a new covenant with you” (Jeremiah 31:31-34) – We thank You, Lord,for this great promise of love. You have fulfilled Your promise. “The new covenant in Jesus’ blood” (Matthew 26:28) is “a better covenant” – it is “much more excellent than the old covenant” (Hebrews 8:5-6). Thank You, Lord, for Jesus, our great Saviour. He has died for us so that we might receive His “eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12).

Hebrews 9:15-10:18

We look back, Lord, to what Jesus has done for us – “He loved us and gave Himself for us” (Galatians 2:20). When we remember what Jesus has done for us, help us to look forward to what He will do for us: “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Help us to pray, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Hebrews 10:19-11:16

Life is good. Eternal life is better. Help us, Lord, to thank You for the good things You’ve given to us – in this earthly life. Help us, also, to look beyond this world. Give to us a real “longing for a better country – a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16). Help us to appreciate Your gift of “abundant life” – and to look forward to our full enjoyment of “eternal life” (John 10:10; 1 John 5:11).

Hebrews 11:17-12:2

Help us, Lord, not only to rejoice in the comfort of Your Word. Help us, also, to respond to the challenge of Your Word.

Hebrews 12:3–29

Help us, Lord, to seek “the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). May we not be content with the ‘holiness’ of the Pharisee – “God, I thank You that I am not like other men … “(Luke 18:11-120. That’s not holiness. That’s hypocrisy. Teach us that true holiness emerges out of real humility – “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). Teach us to pray for Your salvation – and, then, to seek the holiness which is grounded in Your salvation. This is “the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Hebrews 13:1-25

Let Your love flow. May we know that we are loved. May we show Your love. Lord, You have welcomed us. Help us to give “a friendly welcome” to others (Hebrews 11:31).  You reached out to us when we were “strangers” (Galatians 2:12). Help us “to show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:1).