Do you have the confidence to draw near to Jesus?
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
King Jesus,
Yesterday, my daily prayer gang and I
wondered at your sympathy,
your capacity to suffer with us,
to get inside our struggle with sin,
even though you yourself are sinless.
Today, we pray that we would have the courage
to draw near to your throne.
We don’t have to hunch in hiding
like children of an unpredictable father
who comes home drunk one day
but is ready to play the next.
We don’t have to cower in fear
like children of a harsh father
who might beat us bloody with a strap
for our disobedience.
You transformed our fear into hope
by dying for our sins,
taking our punishment on yourself,
and passing through the heavens (Hebrews 4:14).
You open your arms wide to us,
inviting us to bring all of our sin and sorrow—
the rotten words we have spoken,
the murderous thoughts we have entertained,
the habitual sins we have indulged in,
not to mention the harm inflicted on us by others’ sins.
Whatever our suffering in this broken world,
you are ruling over it from your throne.
Whatever our need is,
you welcome us to come to you,
to lay it before you,
and to receive your abundant mercy and grace
as a balm to heal us and make us whole.
In your forgiving name. Amen.
Read Hebrews 4:14-16.
