A Better Prayer
Grow in Faith, Part 12
Part of Grow in Faith—Hebrews
March 30, 2025

Hebrews 8:1-2,5 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

Hebrews 9:2-4, 11 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation).

The tabernacle provides us a visual

of how we commune with God.

  1. The Courtyard. How do we enter?


    Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise!

  2. The Brazen Altar


    Hebrews 9:22 Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
    Psalm 103:2-4 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.

  3. The Laver


    1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
    Psalm 24:3-4 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord ? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart….
    Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
    Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up
    Romans 12:1 … present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

  4. The . What does fire represent?


    Isaiah 11:2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
    Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
    Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
    2 Timothy 1:6-7 … fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
    1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts.

  5. The Table of Showbread


    Matthew 4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
    Joshua 1:8 (NIV) Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
    John 16:23-24 Whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He will give it to you…. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
    1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

  6. The Altar of


    Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
    Revelation 5:8 And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

  7. The of the Covenant


    Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
    Hebrews 7:25 He always lives to make intercession for them.
    Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Praying God’s Word (interceding for others):

Ephesians 1:16-19
Ephesians 3:16-19
Philippians 1:9-11
Colossians 1:9-11

As you pray, are you seeking and knocking, persistently? (Matthew 7:7-11)

Afterthoughts

Remember: this is not a checklist. These steps are a pattern for how to experience God.
Are you excited to try this new entry into God’s presence? Set a time to begin this new adventure: what time tomorrow will you enter God’s courts?

Which step in the process is the most enlightening to you? How can you incorporate that into your time with God?

What is a Scripture you want to pray for others or yourself?

Scriptures for additional study

Jeremiah 29:12-13
Matthew 6:9-13
1 John 5:14-15

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Scriptures are pulled from Bible.com. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2016. Used by permission. All rights reserved.