“If the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:36). Jesus, “bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name!” (Ps. 142:7)
Lord Jesus, when King David prayed for release from prison, he wasn’t behind iron bars, he was hiding in a cave. Captivities come in many forms. We are grateful you have already freed us from many of the most slavish ones.
Because you are our righteousness (not “just” our forgiveness), we’re no longer enslaved to the fear of death, the threat of Judgment Day, and uncertainly about where we’ll spend eternity. This is huge, so Hallelujah! But we also look to you for other freedoms too, Jesus.
Free us from obsessing about things we can’t control, and people who either break our hearts or enrage our souls. Vexation is a petri dish which grows all kinds of “viruses” that attack our peace, joy, and trust.
Liberate from vain regrets—those haunting memories of what could’ve, should’ve, would’ve been. We certainly want to learn from the past, but not be enslaved to it. You’ve not just Lord of where we’ll spend eternity, but also the Redeemer of everything in the past.
Unshackle us from the power of old wounds, and the fear of new ones. You haven’t promised us a pain-free day in this world, but you have promised we’ll never experience a Jesus-absent second. Thank you.
We know the freedom you give isn’t just from stuff, but also for awesome realities. For starters, here’s a few of them we’d love more of, Jesus. Free us to be more childlike, to laugh louder, and experience the joy you want to give us (John 15:11). Liberate us to be kinder, more present, and to be overwhelmed with your beauty and love. So Very Amen.