Bringing our fears to Jesus

My mentor, Lauren Bush, sent this to me! She is so wonderful and keeps me encouraged everyday by sending me emails like this one! This is so amazing!

A Prayer for Bringing Our Fears to Jesus

He placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18

Gracious Jesus, it’s profoundly encouraging to know the most repeated command in the Bible is “Do not be afraid”. The angels spoke these calming words to terrified shepherds on the night of your birth. You repeated the same command to a devastated Mary on the morning of your resurrection. And, right now, you speak these same liberating words to us, your beloved Bride, “Do not be afraid!”

Jesus, because you are the First and the Last, we don’t have to be afraid of anything in between. You’ll never say “Oops” about anything in world history or in our lives. There’s no such thing as trial and error with you. You never scratch your head in bewilderment or confusion. You are perfectly executing your sovereign will, from naming the stars to numbering our hairs. You are good, all the time…all the time, you are good, Lord Jesus.

Because you are the Living One, once dead but now alive forever, we don’t have to fear judgment Day or this day. For your death was our judgment Day and your resurrection is our assurance of being fully acceptable to God in this very moment. Not only is there no condemnation hanging over us, there is full delight towards us. Hallelujah, we cry, three times over!

Jesus, because you hold the keys of death and Hades, we don’t have to be fear the fact or means of our death. For you have robbed the grave of its victory; you have removed the sting of death; and you have defeated the devil and all the powers of darkness. You don’t just hold keys, you will hold us in the most threatening and final moment of our lives. We believe, help our unbelief.

On a way more practical and daily level, Jesus, because of your great love for us, we don’t have to be afraid of what people think about us. We don’t have to be afraid of failing or looking silly. We don’t have to be afraid of getting old or losing our memories. We don’t have to fear being left out or left alone. We don’t have to fear, fear. What a mighty and merciful Savior you are, Jesus.

The very hand you placed on John’s shoulder is the hand in which we now live—firmly and tenderly in the grasp of your grace. Jesus, please free us more fully from our fears and that we might live more fully to the praise of your glory. So very Amen, we pray, in your loving and powerful name.