A Soul-Baring Prayer Inspired by Matthew 18
June 20, 2025
Lord Jesus,
You said that unless I turn and become like a child, I will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
So here I am, laying down my defenses
my pride, my self sufficiency, my need to be strong
asking You to teach me again how to trust like a child.
Give me a heart that doesn’t pretend to have it all together,
a soul that runs freely into Your arms without hesitation.
You see through every layer I hide behind.
You know where pride masquerades as control,
where fear parades as strength,
where wounds have hardened into walls.
Break through, Lord.
Tear down every barrier I’ve built between myself and others,
between myself and You.
Make me humble not ashamed, but surrendered.
Help me live in the deep simplicity of childlike faith
believing You without needing all the answers,
resting in You without trying to earn Your love.
You warned of the dangers of leading others astray
especially the little ones, the vulnerable, the overlooked.
Forgive me for the careless words, the hard hearted judgments,
the moments I turned away instead of leaning in.
Give me eyes like Yours, Jesus
eyes that notice the ones on the margins,
eyes that see the preciousness in every soul.
You said that if my hand, foot, or eye causes me to sin,
I must be willing to part with it.
Lord, teach me to take sin seriously
not just in others, but in myself.
Root out what offends You in me
the bitterness I justify,
the pride I excuse,
the comforts I run to instead of You.
Make me holy not just clean on the outside,
but pure and whole from the inside out.
You are the Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine for the one.
I am that one.
So often wandering, so often afraid.
But You never stop pursuing.
You never write me off or walk away.
You find me in my mess and call me back with gentleness.
Thank You for never giving up on me.
Thank You for the cross, the nails, the empty tomb
proof that You’ll go anywhere to bring me home.
You taught us how to confront and restore, not to condemn but to redeem.
Help me walk that path with love
bold when truth is needed,
gentle when hearts are fragile,
always aiming for restoration, not revenge.
Let Your Spirit guide my every word,
especially when the wounds go deep.
And then, Lord, the hardest part
You call me to forgive.
Not once. Not twice. But seventy seven times.
You don’t ask me to pretend the pain didn’t happen,
but You do ask me to let You carry it.
Teach me to forgive as I’ve been forgiven
freely, completely, even when it hurts.
Heal the bitterness that clings to my soul.
Untie every knot of resentment.
Help me release what I was never meant to carry.
Because when I cling to unforgiveness,
I’m the servant choking another while forgetting I’ve been released from a debt I could never repay.
Remind me, Lord of the mercy You’ve shown me.
Let that mercy flow through me, even when I feel weak and wronged.
You promised that where two or three gather in Your name, You are present.
I need that fellowship.
I need Your presence.
I need to live in a community where grace defines us,
where truth is spoken in love,
and where reconciliation is always possible through You.
Make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there’s conflict, let me sow healing.
Where there’s pride, let me bring humility.
Where there’s pain, let me offer the balm of forgiveness.
Shape me into a kingdom hearted disciple
not great in the eyes of the world,
but small enough to fit in Your arms.
Not obsessed with titles,
but captivated by Your presence.
Help me walk in step with You
humble, forgiving, courageous, and free.
For Your name, for Your glory, for Your kingdom.
In Your merciful and gentle name, Jesus,
Amen.