If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
Dear Lord Jesus, for the gift of another day, I praise you; for the guarantee of your steadfast love, I adore you; for the assurance of your Spirit’s work, I trust you—for I am still not nearly 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 bound in many ways.
Free me, Jesus, grant me much greater freedom. I’m still a babe, a neophyte, a raw rookie in so many gospel freedoms. Because of your all consuming grace, I can see and acknowledge my bondage without falling into to shame and blame, or self-contempt. How I bless you for your steadfast love and endless mercies.
Free me to love you much, much more than I do, Jesus. You alone are worthy of my adoration, attention and allegiance. Liberate my heart to love what your love. Give me a greater longing for your kingdom and your second coming; a deeper affection for the poor, lost and the forgotten; a stronger passion for justice, mercy and walking humbly with you, my God.
Jesus, please unshackle me from the illusion of control and my commitment to a pain-free heart. Give me more peace and joy in suffering to your glory. Break even more of the chains of my insecurities. Free me from the grave-clothes of feeling incompetent about important things in life. Unfetter me from thinking too much about what I’m not, by showing me more of you and who I am in you. Liberate me from thinking about the next thing, so I can be present in the current moment.
Jesus, help me to use fewer words and better listening when engaging others. Please help me make better eye contact and heart connection with others. Free me to be more intrigued with people I don’t know and less timid around strangers. Turn my hair-trigger reactions into slower, wiser, kinder responses. Break my heart-shackles of irritability, agitation and cynicism. Free me from trying to fix anybody.
Please free me for greater spontaneity, louder laughter, saltier tears, and quicker repentances. There is no liberating and loving Savior like you, Lord Jesus. So very Amen I pray, with gratefulness and anticipation, in your most compassionate name.
