march 24 : Hebrews 6

"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."

What we know from Scripture is that Jesus' prayers were heard by God. When he prayed in the mount of Gethsemane he did not pray to an inanimate object nor to a God without ears. Sometimes we question whether or not our prayers are heard. Does God really know the desires of my heart? If he does then why does he not answer them? It seems like God handpicks only those prayers which are worthy. We cannot say for sure why God chooses some to answer and some to dismiss for another time. But from this verse we can know a little bit more of how or why God listens. We look at this verse word by word. At the end we see that Jesus was in 'submission' to God. We all know what that looks like - the obedience of a slave to his master. But the kind of submission required is a 'reverent' one. One that comes naturally because of the Glory of God. We also find that Jesus offered up prayers and petitions. We all do that at times right? But lets see how Jesus offered these up. It says that Jesus cried out loud with tears. When was the last time you or I prayed like this? This shows what? Sincerity in anguish and abandon. We have to pray with such fervency, although not always, when we are in desperate need. Lets learn to pray as Jesus did.