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Intention

To call Christians to lay aside every weight and hindrance, and run with endurance the race set before us, keeping our focus on Jesus.

Scripture

“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

– Hebrews 12:1–2a

Reflection

In the Scripture above we see a series of clear instructions from God himself to: (1) lay aside every hindrance, (2) forsake the sin which so easily ensnares us, (3) run with endurance the race that is set before us, and (4) look to Jesus while running our race.

There are many ‘hindrances’ which can stop us running for God. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus warns against distractions and desires for other things that capture some people’s hearts, causing them to be unfruitful for God (Matthew 13:1–23).

So how do we lay aside every hindrance?

Jesus himself told us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind” (Matthew 22:37). He further taught us to take up our cross and follow him (Matthew 16:24), and that if we love others more than him, we are not worthy of him (Matthew 10:37). These Scriptures call us to give God our absolute first and best: our love, obedience, and loyalty.

Laying aside “the sin which so easily ensnares us” calls us to repentance and to realign our priorities with God’s will. Many Scriptures show that loving God — demonstrated through obedience to his Word — and regular repentance are essential to a Christ-centred life.

Indeed, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Furthermore, in the Lord’s Prayer — the magnificent prayer Jesus taught his disciples — he instructs us to ask God for forgiveness of our sins and to extend to others the merciful forgiveness God has shown us (Matthew 6:9–13).

What freedom we gain when we lay aside distractions and forsake the sin that ensnares us! Then we are truly equipped to run the race God has set before us with endurance.

Yet freedom to run does not mean we run passively; the text makes clear that we must actively choose to run with endurance. We also see from the text that the God-glorifying way to run is keeping our focussing on “Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith”.

It is Christ who saves us. The book of Revelation proclaims, “To him who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Revelation 1:5). What an incredible truth — we have been cleansed and ransomed by the blood of Jesus, the Son of God!

When we believe in Christ, this immeasurable and eternal sacrifice makes us children of God and promises us eternity with him — not an eternity in Hell.

Surely such an incredible sacrifice demands God’s rightful place as the centre of our love, our thoughts, and our joyful obedience — the very essence of running this race with endurance.

All glory to God!

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Prayer

God, thank you for loving us so much that you sent your only begotten Son to pay for our sins so we can be forgiven and have eternal fellowship with you.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive others, and help us to run the race set before us with endurance and without hindrance — keeping our eyes and heart on your precious Son, Jesus Christ — the author and finisher of our salvation.

Help us to follow Christ humbly and lovingly, and to do good works, including the work to stop abortion, for your glory.

In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Author Bio

Teeshan Johnson is an occasional consultant for Pro-Life Victoria in communications, government relations and campaign work. Prior to this, Teeshan was the executive director of Cherish Life Queensland for over four years. She has also served the right-to-life cause in volunteer capacities as the CEO of Priceless Life (a crisis pregnancy centre in Brisbane) and at Right to Life NSW.

Prayer Points for Babies Born Alive Left to Die 2026

1. The Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2026 to pass federal parliament. Micah 6:7–8

2. A change of hearts and minds towards LIFE across the nation. Psalm 139:13–16

3. Many to see the Baby Booties display on Parliament House’s lawns and many churches to be inspired to show the Born Alive Left to Die film. Hebrews 4:16

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