HEBREWS 4:14-16

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

(New International Version)

Oh Lord, my God, by the authority of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, and by Your grace and with His permission and mediation, I lift up my heart to you in recognition of my own unworthiness. I know that I do not even deserve this opportunity to speak and be heard by You. But what grace, that you would extend to me the invitation, the opportunity, to pray. And Lord, if there was ever a time in my life when I thought that I might actually be good enough to merit, to deserve, to warrant Your kindness and gentle compassion toward me, I repent. For I have learned, through my own rebellious nature and acts of iniquity, just how far short of Your glory I truly fall. There is no good in me with which I would dare to come before you and make any claim to righteousness. I know that, now, Father! My failure has taught me well my need for a Savior. I can only hope that my failure in the eyes of others can bring You glory as they ponder my weakness in light of Your magnificent grace and the love You continually pour out upon me, and them, through the sacrifice of You beloved Son on the cross that day at Golgotha.  I know now, my Lord, that my testimony to my brothers and sisters in Christ, and to a lost and dying world, has nothing to do with how good, and right, and holy, and devoted I can somehow manage to be… but rather, it’s all about You and the love, grace, and compassion You so abundantly lavish upon me and upon every precious soul who turns their eyes toward Jesus and surrenders their every claim to any measure of personal righteousness in exchange for His righteousness.

Lord, may I never give up the good fight of faith. No matter how many times I may stumble and fall along the way, please lift me back up, create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinner will be converted to You.

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