“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
Dear Lord Jesus, I’m still not as free as you intend. Though you’ve already freed me from trying to earn my salvation by anything I do, or based on anything in me… though you’ve already liberated me from the illusion that I can earn more of God’s love by ramping up my obedience and decreasing my foolishness… though the chains of condemnation have already been broken and the fears of death, Judgment Day and the future have been sent packing… I’m still not as free as you intend.
I’m still feel a babe… a neophyte… a raw rookie in so many gospel-freedoms. Only the gospel can enable me to see and acknowledge where I need liberation. Only your grace can keep me from going to shame and self-contempt as I offer these prayers…
Jesus, liberate me from thinking about the next thing, so I can be present in the current moment and conversation. May people, not projects be my greater concern and joy each day. Help me to make better eye contact and heart connection with those you give me to love. Help me to be less timid around strangers more intrigued with new people I meet.
Help me to use less words and more listening when engaging others. Turn my hair-trigger reactions into slower, wiser responses. Please unshackle me from the illusion of control and my commitment to a pain-free heart. Loving well always involves risk and pain.
Jesus, break even more of the chains of my insecurities. Please free me from the grave-clothes of feeling incompetent about important things in life. Please unfetter me from thinking too much about what I’m not… by showing me more of you and who I am in you. May I be defined more by your beauty and less by my brokenness.
Jesus, please free me for greater spontaneity… louder laughter… saltier tears… and quicker repentances. So very Amen, I pray, in your most powerful and compassionate name.
