“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
– 1 John 1:7
To understand what it means to pray for the Blood of Jesus, let’s learn a story that is written in chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible.
(Note: Parents should open their Bibles and show where the story is, reading excerpts of the verses.)
The Word tells us that God created all things. He created the heavens and the earth, the lights, and also all varieties of trees, plants, and animals so that man could live eternally happy and in peace. God created man, who was called Adam, and placed him in a beautiful garden. There, nothing would be lacking for him. God only asked one thing of Adam:
“Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But of the rest of the garden, you may eat everything!”
– Genesis 2:16-25
God also created the woman (Eve) so that man would not live alone. But Adam and Eve disobeyed, listening to the serpent’s voice. She deceived them by saying they would be like God if they ate the fruit of that tree. They ate, and because of that, they lost the right to have eternal life with God. (Genesis 3:1-14) When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they sinned and realised they were without clothes. God provided animal skin to cover them. The blood of an animal was shed to cover the sin of man.
This act of God pointed to the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross. He would shed His Blood to save us, to forgive us all our sins. That is why, when John the Baptist saw the Lord Jesus, he announced, saying:
“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
– John 1:29
So, when we cry for the Blood of Jesus and confess our sins, we are forgiven.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
– 1 John 1:7
Now let’s understand:
What is to cry out? It is to ask, plead, pray to God with fervour and faith. It is different from glorifying God. When we ask a child to glorify the Lord in church, they will give thanks, give glory, and honour to God for everything He has done and will do for us.
What is to pray for the Blood of Jesus? It is to ask for forgiveness of sins through the Blood of Jesus. Only in this way are our sins forgiven, and we have access to God’s presence. Praying for the Blood of Jesus is not praying for the “biological blood,” the blood that we see when we get hurt. It is a prayer for the Blood that Jesus shed on the cross and gave His life for us. The BLOOD IS LIFE. So, praying for the Blood is asking God to grant us His Holy Spirit, which brings us life and keeps us from evil, preserving us in the presence of the Lord.
Why pray for the Blood of Jesus? Because the Blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and gives us Fellowship with God and with our brothers and sisters.
When should we pray for the Blood of Jesus? At the beginning of our prayers, at the start of services and meetings. When leaving home for school, outings. When we are going through difficulties, when we feel afraid, when we are sick…
Benefits of practising the prayer for the Blood of Jesus:
– Forgiveness of our sins
– The Blood of Jesus delivers us: Do you remember the deliverance that God gave to the people of Israel in Egypt? In the house where there was the mark of blood, there would be no death of the firstborn as God had announced. (Exodus 12:13) So, let’s cry out for the Blood of Jesus when we go to school, when we leave home, to be delivered from accidents, violence, and all evil that may reach us.
– The Blood of Jesus gives us victory: In Egypt, the blood of the lamb was victory for the people of Israel because they were freed from the slavery of Egypt and went to the promised land. And today, too, the Blood of Jesus gives us victory, leading us to eternal life with God.
Let’s be certain that the more we pray, the more the Blood of Jesus gives us life, and we are blessed in everything!