在我年輕當一名記者的時候，我深切體會到「記者證」的好處。這個證件上印有我的名字、照片和媒體機構，讓我能在大型活動或賽事期間，獲准進入場內會見並採訪許多運動員跟名人。

但我接受耶穌為救主之後，我開始意識到，體育賽事和我的職業已成為我的偶像。於是，我跟從上帝的呼召而轉行。雖然我失去了記者證，但卻因著相信耶穌犧牲的受死與復活，使我能透過禱告，獲得進入上帝天上寶座前的權利。

希伯來書的作者指出，大祭司是選自於以色列中亞倫的後代，奉派在上帝面前代表百姓，成為居間調解的中保。唯有大祭司才能一年一次進入聖殿的至聖所，「獻上禮物和贖罪祭」（5章1節），為自己和百姓贖罪，因他也是有罪的人。

後來，基督這位偉大且完美的大祭司來到世上。當祂被釘死在十字架上，聖殿裡的幔子從上到下裂成兩半，除去了上帝與世人之間的阻隔（馬太福音27章51節）。

因慈愛的救贖主已使我們與天父和好，我們便能自由地向上帝禱告。希伯來書4章16節說：「所以我們只管坦然無懼地來到施恩的寶座前，為要得憐恤，蒙恩惠，作隨時的幫助。」

我們能透過禱告進到上帝的寶座前，跟祂說話，這是何等寶貴的特權啊！

As a young journalist, I quickly learned about the power of a “press pass.” That one credential—displaying my name, picture, and media outlet—granted me access to meet and interview athletes and celebrities before or after major events.

However, after I received Jesus as my Savior, I realized sports and my career had become my idols. Following God’s call elsewhere, I lost my press pass but gained access to God’s heavenly throne room through prayer because of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection.   

The writer of Hebrews points out that a high priest was selected from among the Israelites, specifically one of Aaron’s descendants, and appointed as the go-between representing the people before God. He alone could enter the Most Holy Place in the temple once a year “to offer gifts and sacrifice” to atone for his and the people’s sins (5:1), for he too was a mortal man.

Then Christ came, our great and perfect high priest. When He died, the veil in the temple was torn and the barrier that existed between God and humanity was removed (Matthew 27:51).

Because our loving Redeemer has reconciled us to His Father, we can freely pray to God: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

What a privilege to have access to God’s throne room as we talk to Him in prayer.