Distractions – The Presidential Prayer Team

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely. – Hebrews 12:1

Have you ever been the driver on a scenic highway only to have the passenger in the front seat with you continually say, “Oooh, look at that!” What happens? You momentarily take your eyes off the road ahead to enjoy the view but, maybe in doing so, you drift ever so slightly into the lane of oncoming traffic, only to correct the swerve by a jerk of the steering wheel with a hollow feeling in your stomach. Distractions. They can be found everywhere and occur often.

What are some of the distractions in your life that, perhaps only for a moment, take your eyes off Jesus? You know what they are. In today’s verse, you are told to “lay them aside.“ Other translations render that as “throw them off.” However, you interpret it, get rid of the distractions that interfere with following Jesus. As you look at the next two verses in Hebrews 12, your encouragement is to fix your eyes on Jesus, keeping your focus where it needs to be. A marathon runner does not take the time to look around while he is running, and the life of faith is likened to a race you are running.

The Christian race is not a competition to see who comes in first. It is one of individual endurance. Stay the course. Keep the pace. A heavenly goal awaits and the great cloud of witnesses encourages you on. Pray for your fellow believers in America who may be easily distracted, for strength in their spiritual legs and hearts that continue to trust in the Lord. Ask God to help believers in government to keep focused on Jesus even when circumstances are difficult.

Today’s Verse: Hebrews 12:1

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-17

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

¹²Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, ¹³and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. ¹⁴Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; ¹⁶that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.