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A Prayer for Bringing My 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 now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”  Rev. 1:17-18

     Dear Lord Jesus, it’s quite timely and so encouraging to know the most repeated command in the Bible is “Do not be afraid.” The angels spoke these words to startled shepherds at your birth, and you repeated the command to a devastated Mary after your resurrection. Now you speak these liberating words to my heart: “Do not be afraid!”

     Because you’re the First and the Last, I don’t have to be afraid of anything in between. You are very God, and I am very not. You never say “Oops” about anything in world history, or in my life. You never “attempt” anything—as though you could fail. You never pace heaven, scratch your head in confusion, or resort to plan B. You are perfectly and perpetually executing your sovereign will—from naming the stars, to numbering my hairs and days. Hallelujah, many times over.

     Because you are the Living One—who was dead and is now alive forever, I don’t have to be afraid of Judgment Day, or this day. You are constantly singing the most liberating of lyrics over us: “I am your righteousness and peace, Good Shepherd and impassioned Bridegroom. There’s no condemnation hanging over you, now and forevermore. A banner of love flies over you, and I greatly delight in you.”

     Lord Jesus, because you hold the keys of death and Hades, and to everything else, I don’t have to be afraid to die or live, lay down or get up. You robbed the grave of its victory, removed the sting of death, and defeated the powers of darkness. I don’t have to be afraid of people or aging, failing or forgetting, international terror or heart messes.

     I know you’ll never leave or forsake us and I know I’m in the palm of your hand. Free me more fully from my fears that I might live more fully to your glory. So very Amen I pray, in your loving and powerful name.

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