"Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon” ( Hebrews 13:18-19 )

As the book of Hebrews is winding down the writer is giving final instructions. He starts off chapter 13 with wonderful reminders for those who read it.

Keep on loving each other (vs. 1)
Remember those in prison (vs. 3)
Honor your marriage (vs. 4)
Be content (vs. 5)
Remember and imitate your leaders (vs. 7)
Be strengthened by grace (vs. 9)
Continually praise God (vs. 15)
Obey your leaders (vs. 17)

And now he reminds them to pray specifically for them as they finish their course. He was convinced that he had a good and clear conscience and was living honorably. However he desired to come and visit the people he had addressed in this letter. In closing he instructs them to pray that he will be restored very soon.

No doubt the writer held these people in high regard. He carefully and skillfully explained Jesus’ role in our redemption from beginning to end. So of course he desired to come to them personally to see how they were getting along. Amazingly he asked these precious people to join with him in prayer until this came to pass. As believers, we have the wonderful right and privilege to come before the Father to ask and receive. What a great final reminder from this writer, the reminder to pray and ask God for things we desire.

“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you” ( Hebrews 13:17 )

Did you know that one of the functions of our spiritual leaders is to persuade us with the truth? They are to teach and show us the truth from God’s word so that we will listen, yield to it and obey it.

The word used for obey in this passage of scripture is peithō. Which means to persuade or convince one to believe by the words spoken. This word occurs sixty-three times in the New Testament and many times it is translated as trusted, persuaded or convinced. Most of this occurs in the book of Acts when the people believed after they had been persuaded by the message spoken.

In the same way we are to trust and be convinced by the teaching and persuasion of our leaders. It is their job to teach the Word of God to us with authority and power, then we are to receive it, be convinced by it and yield to it. In this way, these truths become evident in our lives and in return bring joy to our leaders when they see change occur.

This is one of the main reasons we are to hold them in high regard, because they are commissioned to teach and persuade us by the Word of God. Which is why we are to look to them as examples; “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” ( Hebrews 13:7 ). And why we are to respect them; “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ).

By receiving the Word of God taught to us by our leaders and elders we are submitting to their authority and making their job a joy which is why we are reminded to obey in this. God has ordained leaders in the church to teach and help bring us into maturity as well as to give us an example to live by.