Tuesday Prayer: The Weight of Expectations

Jesus, you lived free from the expectations of others, secure in your Father's approval, undeterred by criticism or praise. You disappointed people who wanted an earthly king and satisfied the hearts that longed for a Savior. You show me what it looks like to live for an audience of One.

I've been carrying everyone else's expectations like stones in my backpack, trying to be who they need me to be instead of who you made me to be. I said yes when I meant no, performed when I wanted to rest, shaped myself to fit their molds until I forgot my own shape. I'm tired of living for applause that never quite satisfies. Thank you for loving me exactly as I am, for expectations that free rather than bind, for calling me to authenticity over approval.

Free me from the prison of other people's opinions. Help me live to please you rather than people, to seek your approval over their applause. Give me courage to disappoint others when faithfulness requires it, wisdom to know which expectations to meet and which to release. Tonight, I lay down every burden that isn't mine to carry. Your opinion of me is the only one that matters.