Prayer for Liberation by Lisa Degrenia
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. – John 5:24 (KJV)

Merciful One, Liberating One,
You break the chains
You open the prison doors
You pardon instead of condemn

Yet, we keep ourselves locked away from
your love
your light
your joy

Emancipate us once and for all from condemnation
Silence the inner critics
Silence the liars
Silence all that keeps us from wholeness

Open our eyes to see we are free
Open our hearts to accept it in full
To accept you in full

Glory and honor be to you Jesus
our Rescuer and Redeemer
our Freedom Fighter
Amen

Steadfast Surrender by Lisa Degrenia
For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and he has given him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of Man. – John 5:26-27 (NRSV)

Faithful One, make me faithful.
Steadfast One, make me steadfast.
Unchanging One, change me.
I surrender to your Word and ways, your call and claim.
Fulfill your good purposes in me and through me, now and forever. Amen.

Testify by Lisa Degrenia
I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. – John 5:36 (NRSV)

So many testify to you and your work
The prophecies
The signs
The Baptist
The Father

Add my voice to the chorus
Add my life to the witness

Glory to your Holy Name!
Glory to your saving power!
Glory to you, our Lord and Savior forever!

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I’ll be posting prayers based on the Gospel of John throughout Lent this year as part of our Lenten Reading Plan. Here’s your invitation to join us for this reading plan.  

Three Prayers inspired by John 5:19-47 © 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia. You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting without asking permission. It’s always a treat to hear from you if you’re using it. Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in a book, blog, etc.