How does the gospel of Jesus Christ connect to prayer? Is there any correlation between living a gospel centric life and our ongoing conversation with the most high God? Here at Light City Bible Church we believe there absolutely is a connection between the gospel and how often and how sincerely and fervently we approach the Throne of Grace.
One of my favorite things to meditate upon is Christ’s role as mediator between God and the redeemed. Since the covenant between Him and mankind was broken someone has to act as the go-between. We need someone that is fully qualified to represent both sides in this broken agreement.
Similarly, there are many professions like my former job with the railroad that require a mediator. Someone is needed to negotiate contracts between the workers and corporate management. The constant complaint of those in labor is that the one doing the mediating doesn't actually know what it's like to be in their shoes. Jesus’ role as mediator, the Great High Priest, is the most amazing exception to that premise. In fact, only He perfectly knows the experience of being One with the Most High God as well as being fully human and having experienced everything there is to experience in that state.
Hebrews 4:14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The idea of a mediator is nothing new to the history of humanity. Having a high priest to intervene and act as that go between goes way back to the time of Moses and is even alluded to in the very beginning. But since Jesus is both the mediator and the satisfaction of the violations of our covenant with God we have complete mediation. In fact according to the scriptures we can boldly or confidently go to Him, where he sits, on his throne, dispensing grace and mercy to those in need. Who are those people? Just like the Israelites back in Moses’ day we live in a fallen and cursed world. Those same kinds of weakness and temptation constantly rear their ugly heads daily. Fighting for righteousness in those moments, pursuing rest as the nation of Israel should have done, requires mercy and grace. It also requires us realizing and confessing that we indeed are the ones who are in need of mercy and grace.
While going to the throne of grace involves more than prayer it is certainly not less than prayer. Courageous, assured, hopeful prayer; the kind of prayer that knows and believes that the answer is yes. This happens particularly when we are in that moment of recognizing our need and crying out for help to our mediator, the Great High Priest.
This is just one reason why Expectant Prayer is one of our distinctives at Light City Bible Church. We are convinced it is the Lord's desire for us to develop a culture of prayer that expects, not in a demanding way, but in dependence on the promises of God, that He will answer. Won't you join us as we go to the Throne of Grace expecting God to provide rest for every single need?
Check out our Facebook page or our website www.lightcitywabash.org for our next vision meeting and our next Saturday prayer time. Hope to see you then!
Proclaiming Christ for all of Life.
Keith
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