A prayer for more freedom

This year I am going through Everyday Prayers by Scotty Smith and this mornings prayer was all about freedom which links nicely with my last blog post on true freedom. Here it is

A Prayer for More Freedom

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Dear Jesus, I’m still not nearly as free as you intend me to be. 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 a babe, a neophyte, a raw rookie in so many gospel freedoms. Only the gospel helps me see and acknowl

edge these things. Only your grace keeps me from going to shame and self-contempt as I offer these prayers.

Jesus, please free me so I can be less irritated, and less often, with fewer people. Please turn my hair-trigger reactions into slower, wiser responses. Help me use fewer words and more listening when engaging others. Please unshackle me from the illusion of control and my commitment to a pain-free heart. Free me for extravagant adoration of you and sacrificial giving to others.

Jesus, please liberate me from thinking about the next thing, so I can be present in the current moment. Please help me make better eye contact and heart connection with others. Please help me to be more intrigued with people I don’t know and less timid around strangers.

Jesus, please 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.

Jesus, please free me for greater spontaneity, louder laughter, saltier tears, and quicker repentances. I want to be free, by your grace and for your glory. So very Amen I pray, in your powerful and loving name.