×

A Prayer for Greater Freedom from My Imprisonments

Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! Ps. 142:7
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. Luke 4:18
If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
     Dear Lord Jesus, when King David prayed for freedom from his prison, he wasn’t behind iron bars; he was hiding in a cave. It’s obvious he felt pursued, trapped, and alone. It’s also obvious David felt freedom to acknowledge his crisis and cry out to you for help. He was a man after your heart because you had already captured his heart. What a loving and liberating King you are, Jesus. I begin my day with David’s cry confident of your gracious response.
     Jesus, you’ve already set me free from many slavish imprisonments: The fear of dying, for you robbed the grave of its victory through your resurrection; The fear of judgment, for you were condemned in my place upon the cross; The tyranny of self-salvation, for it’s your obedience and righteousness which make me acceptable to God; The myth of autonomy, for you alone are the sovereign Lord and the King of Kings. When I consider these liberties, why would I doubt your ability or willingness to set me free from other imprisonments?
     King Jesus, please set me free from the quick sand of vain regrets—those haunting memories of what would’ve been, could’ve been, should’ve been. I want to learn from the past, not be enslaved to the past. Your name is Redeemer, not Re-doer. Equally, free me from vain assumptions—the arrogance of thinking if things “went well”, it’s only because I did something right! O foolish man that I am.
     Jesus, continue to free me from the fear of incompetency—of not being enough and having the “normal” life sills. I still feel insecure and underequipped in some important areas of life mostly relational. I yearn to be more of a present person and less of a performing commodity. I still assume people want from me, more than they want to know me. Break the chains of that assumption.
     I want to be a much better listener and rememberer—giving people the gift of engagement, and not just momentary politeness. Forgive me when I compare myself with others. It’s one thing to look for good models, but quite another to turn our models into idols. May no other voice have as much defining power in my life as yours, Jesus. Free me to be “the me” you intend.
     And Jesus, please continue to set me free from the shaming and angering power of old wounds. I will seek to live as a peacemaker until you return, but I now accept the fact that some stories will only be fully healed only by your second coming. Let me be okay with that, even as I trust you to use my pain for the benefit of others.
     Lord Jesus, you are so very merciful, gracious, patient and forbearing. The more freedom you give me, the more fully I will seek to praise your name, and love others as you love me. So very Amen I pray, in your merciful and mighty name.

LOAD MORE
Loading