Lent Devotions

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 05:18 AM PDT

Hebrews 5:5-10

"In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission" (Hebrews 5:7).

As a writer I strive to define my poetic voice, and as a parent I seek God's wisdom and guidance to strengthen my firm and loving voice. Most of all, as a Christian I thirst to actively communicate with God and listen for and to his big or little still voice. In these verses the author of Hebrews lays down the groundwork for people who aim to learn how to develop a relationship with God, especially in times of need.

After I read and absorbed the words "in the days of his flesh," I was struck by the phraseology of the whole passage. If this verse was written about any one of us today, the phrase might be worded: "in our lifetime," "during her sorrow," or simply "he offered up prayers…" We are not divine like Jesus; we live "in the flesh" from the beginning to the end of our days. God appointed Jesus to live a human life, to go through man's experiences and to share his sympathies. In Jesus' human state, he approached his Father God during his hard times in the same way that we can and should approach God.

Often, when a person has endured his or her deepest hardships, he or she may speak about the abundance of tears shed, the constant praying, or his or her suffering. When we understand Hebrews 5:7, we should take comfort in knowing that we, too, can benefit by offering prayers, supplications, loud cries, and tears in our darkest hours, just like Jesus did. God will hear our voice and comfort us.

Lord, thank you for giving Jesus to us as a living example of how we should come to you in times of trouble. Just as Jesus offered prayers and supplications, we, too, are worthy to pray and submit our requests to you, for we know that you will hear our prayers.

De'Anna Thomas Daniels, member of Marble Collegiate