Nov 27 - Day 331. Pray unto the Author & Finisher of our Faith. Hebrews 12.2

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despised the shame, is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Welcome to another daily prayer. Keep on praying. Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith. “Looking unto Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, we find inspiration in His unwavering commitment to our salvation. For the joy that lay ahead of Him—the promise of redemption and eternal life. He endured the agony of the cross, facing immense suffering and public humiliation. Despite the shame associated with His crucifixion, He remained steadfast, demonstrating His profound love and obedience to God. Now, having completed His mission, He is exalted and seated at the right hand of the throne of God, a place of honor and authority, where He reigns eternally, interceding for us.”

Transcript

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to another episode of EBC’s Prayer Podcast. Today is November 27, the 331st day of the year, a perfect reminder of how quickly time flies and how to make the most of every moment.

I’m your host, Dr. Victoria Haddad, the First Lady and Prayer Leader at Elyon Bible Church Apostolic in Salem, NJ. It is a privilege to gather with each of you and pray together.

Our scripture will be taken from Hebrews 12:2. It reads, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

Let’s reflect on the incredible journey of faith that Jesus embarked upon. He faced unimaginable trials and suffering for the sake of our salvation, exemplifying resilience and unwavering purpose. 

His focus was not solely on the pain but on the joy that lay ahead, the reconciliation of humanity that we can have with Him. 

Together, let’s pray and keep our faith fixed on Jesus. 

Let’s pray

Dear Heavenly Father. Our Lord, our God, and our Savior, we come before you with our hearts filled with gratitude and admiration. Thank you for the precious gift of prayer, where we can come into your presence at any time, in any place, and pour out our hearts before you. 

Prayer is not just words spoken into the air, but a holy conversation that we can truly have with you, the living God who hears, who cares, and who answers prayer.

Father, you are the author and finisher of our faith. You are the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the one who was, who is, and who is to come. 

Lord, you hold eternity in your hands, and you care tenderly for each moment of our lives. 

At times, we allow our eyes to be clouded by fear, by weariness, by distraction, but you, Lord, remain constant and encourage us to trust you.

Your word reminds us to “look unto you, Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before you endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

Lord, what a mystery of love, that joy and suffering could exist together in your heart. That even as you bore the weight of our sin, even as you endured the cross and unimaginable pain, there was joy within you because you knew what your sacrifice would accomplish: our redemption, our reconciliation, our eternal hope.

Lord, help us, never to lose sight of that joy. When we face trials, when we are burdened by the cares of this world, when we are tempted to give up, remind us of the cross and the love that you shed for us. 

Remind us that no suffering we endure compares with the glory that is to come. Strengthen us to run with endurance the race you have set before us. Teach us to fix our eyes not on what is temporary, but on what is eternal.

Lord, our hearts are easily weighed down, and sometimes, we grow tired of doing good. We lose patience with others and even with ourselves. But you, Father, are rich in mercy. You do not grow weary, and your compassion never fails. 

Breathe new strength into us. Fill us afresh with your spirit, that we may walk in steadfastness, in faithfulness, and in your love.

Lord, too often, we are caught up in our own struggles and miss the hurting souls near us. Open our eyes to the needs of those around us. Give us eyes that see and hearts that feel your presence. 

Lord, help us to be bearers of hope. Where there is despair, let us carry the message of your promises. Where there is fear, may we bring your peace. Where there is brokenness, let us speak of your power to restore. 

Help us to be patient with one another, forgiving as you have forgiven us, and always pointing people back to you, for you are the trustworthy source of life.

Father, remember everyone who is struggling in silence, those who are battling sickness in their bodies, those who are weighed down by anxiety in their minds, and those who are grieving losses too deep for words. 

Lord, surround us with your presence. Remind us that we are not alone, that you are near to the brokenhearted, and that nothing can separate us from your love.

Lord, guard our hearts against distraction. 

In this world, so many things compete for our attention—worries, possessions, accomplishments, opinions of others. 

But none of these things will last. Teach us to treasure what is eternal: Teach us your word, and teach us your presence.

Lord, because you rose from the dead, we have the assurance of life everlasting. even in our weakest moments, your grace is sufficient and your power is made perfect.

Lord, we entrust ourselves into your hands. May our lives bring you glory. May our words, our thoughts, and our actions reflect your love. 

Keep us faithful until the very end, and let us finish our race with joy, knowing that one day we will see you face to face.

In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray…Amen.

Everyone. Keep on praying, keep on trusting God. Have a great day, and by God’s grace, we will pray again tomorrow. Bye-bye.