A Prayer About Jesus’ Shameless Love for Us
Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” Hebrews 2:11-13
Dear Lord Jesus, I’ve thought, said and done a lot of things in my life of which I am truly ashamed. I’ve been pierced with the poisoned darts of toxic shame, hurled at me by others. And I’ve shamed the very people I love. Shame is a pillaging destructive thief-robbing us of all dignity, freedom and joy.
So when I hear you tell me in the gospel that you’ve NOT ashamed of me-that you’re not even ashamed to call me your brother, my eyes dare to look up and my heart risks singing.
You’re the only answer for the paralyzing power of shame, Lord Jesus. How I praise you for doing everything necessary to deal with the ways I’ve been both an agent and a victim of sin-sin which has led to multiple layers of shame. You’re the only one who can make me holy-the only one who can “set me apart” for the redeeming and restoring purposes of the one I now know as Abba, Father.
In fact, I only dare cry out, “Abba, Father,” because your first cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). You took the full guilt and the real shame of my sin on the cross. (“Selah”-pause) I really do believe this… I really want to experience it more fully …
And now you sing to me of the Father’s love-you declare his praises to my heart… every time I hear the gospel… every time I gather with my brothers and sisters to worship the Triune God… every time I take the bread and cup of holy communion… every time I read the Scriptures… every time I listen to your voice in creation proclaiming the majesty and mercy of God.
Lord Jesus, you are NOT ashamed of me. This is the theology I defend, make it the doxology in which I delight. So very Amen, I pray, in your holy and loving name.