Praying for Deliverance

Posted on by Japanese Congregational Church

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Today our theme is “Praying for Deliverance”  or maybe more simply, “praying for help”.

The text above, from Hebrews 4, is a powerful verse. We’re not really sure who wrote the book of Hebrews or even who the original audience was. But it’s clear that those reading the text would have been very familiar with all the Jewish old testament writings, law, sacrificial system, and history. If we were to summarize the entire book of Hebrews we might say the following:

  • Jesus is higher and more important than angels, than Moses, than any high priest – in short, he is the culmination of Jewish and world history. While fully God, he has experienced all of human experience. He knows what we are going through.
  • Therefore….. don’t give up the fight! Keep on keeping on! (Six times the writer warns the readers not to be like ancient Israel in the wilderness, giving up on faith and giving up on God. It seems clear that the original readers must have been going through severe persecution and trials. This letter is meant as an encouragement to them.)

In many ways, our short text for today is a good summary of the entire book of Hebrews. What do we find here?

  • Jesus is our high priest. He is the mediator between us and God. His death caused the temple curtain to be torn in two – No more barrier between God and us!　　
  • Jesus has empathy for us. He understands what we’re going through. He has experienced everything we have – Hunger, sadness, ridicule, physical pain and discomfort, etc.
  • Jesus understands temptation.　While the scripture doesn’t give many examples of this, there are a few important ones: Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness (for fame, power, a “quick fix”), and his temptation to avoid the cross (as seen in his final prayer in Gethsemane). He didn’t sin, but he’s experienced our trials and pain…..and temptation….so he can empathize!

So what does this have to do with “Praying for our needs”? How does this help us in crying out for HELP?

The writer of Hebrews points out that because of the work…and characteristics of Jesus, our level of access to God has completely changed!

  • We have access to God, not through a human high priest, but through the death of Jesus on the cross. He became both our priest and sacrifice. The curtain of the temple – separating God from his people – was completely torn in two! The “holy of holies” became accessible to each of us!
  • Therefore…..We can approach God with confidence! We no longer have to be afraid….we can come directly to God BOLDLY with our needs and requests.
  • We receive deliverance and help – through the mercy and grace of God!

God wants us to be free and delivered from various problems that bind us and keep us chained! To be helped….and healed! Do you really believe that?

Where do you need deliverance today? What kinds of things hold you back….from going to God boldly? What are the “strongholds” – the stubborn issues in our lives that keep us from receiving God’s grace and freedom?

Here are a few that I have experienced and that I can think of:

anger, addiction, apathy, anxiety, control, comparison, cynicism, distraction, fear, greed, lust, people-pleasing, pride, legalism, selfishness, shame, unforgiveness…

Quite a list right? And of course there are more. Have you ever experienced any of these? They can act like strongholds, like chains – that keep us from being really free.

Will you join me this morning in a prayer? As we close our eyes right now, take a posture of surrender, maybe opening our hands to God. Imagine coming boldly before God. Imagine God warmly welcoming you. Take a few moments to tell God about the thing (or things) that most bind you, and keep you captive today. Tell God freely and boldly that you wish to experience deliverance and freedom! Receive that freedom from God! Amen.

(the above is a summary of the message shared during worship on March 3, 2024. The outline for the sermon is taken from a message by Pastor Stephanie O’Brien, pastor of Mill City Church in Minneapolis, MN, as part of the series entitled: Deeply Rooted: A Call To Prayer)