Your ascended Savior prays for you
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.” (Ephesians 1:18a)
Have you ever been in a difficult or troubling situation and someone says to you, “I’m praying for you”? Those words are meant to reassure you, and they are an effort by the person who spoke them to show you that he or she cares about you.
When I’ve said those words as a pastor, people have said to me, “Well, that’s great because you have a higher connection than I do.” I chuckle hearing that because people think I’ve got more pull with God, which is the furthest thing from the truth.
Today, we celebrate the day when our risen Savior went back into heaven. We contemplate the words of the Apostle Paul. Paul tells us that his prayer is that we grow in our faith and understand what it means for us that Jesus is in heaven working on our behalf.
We need to remember that the only thing needed to connect with Jesus in prayer is faith in him as our Savior. It doesn’t matter how strong or weak, or how young or old our faith is—prayer is one of those blessings that God has given to all of those who are his children by faith.
Our ascended Savior working on our behalf—praying. Now that is something on a higher and different level than our prayers are. Just imagine, the perfect Son of God speaking to his Father as he sits at his right hand.
Can you picture it? Jesus leaning over and whispering his requests in his Father’s ear. When Jesus prays for us, his prayers are always perfect prayers. They aren’t tainted with sin, selfish desires, or impure motives like our prayers often are. Just imagine what those prayers are like.
- “Father God, I see and know what (insert name) is dealing with. I ask that you strengthen him/her and lead him/her to see that you are there and will bring him/her through it.”
- “Heavenly Father, you know how (insert name) has been dealing with sickness and disease. If it is your will, heal and restore him/her.”
As you remember that Jesus ascended into heaven, let it assure you that you truly do have someone whose prayers are perfect. Jesus is next to your heavenly Father, and his prayers are constantly being offered for you even when you don’t realize it or request it.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to Earth, for living and dying. Thank you for rising from the dead and ascending back to your Father’s right hand. Remind and reassure me daily that not only can I speak to you in prayer but also that you constantly pray on behalf of me and all of God’s children. May this incredible thought calm my heart. Amen.