A Prayer about Drawing 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 have changed all that, 

because you have died for our sins, 

taken our punishment on yourself, 

and passed 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.