A Prayer for Freedom from People-Approval
We speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed— God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else. (1 Thess. 2:4–6 NIV)
Patient Father, it’s not just apostles who need freedom from living for the approval of people; it’s all of us . . . it’s me. We can’t serve people well if our need for affirmation or fear of rejection is greater than our love for you. I need your help in this matter this very week.
As I look at my relational brokenness and sin, I can see how “people pleasing” plays out in two directions. On one hand, there are people to whom I attach my umbilical cord (metaphorically speaking) and expect them to give me life. On the other hand, there are people whose umbilical cords I grab and plug into me, assuming the role of life giver. I grieve both of these patterns, Father. Because the gospel is true, I can freely confess these things.
Because the gospel is powerful, I have hope for change. Because the gospel is entrusted to me, I take this matter very seriously.
Lord Jesus, I don’t want to live as an “approval suck.” I want to love others as you love me— and as you love them. It’s flat out wrong for me to give anybody the power to control me through their affirmation or their rejection. It’s because of your life of perfect obedience that I can be free from living as a poser, pretender, and performer. It’s because of your death for me on the cross that I can live with the absolute assurance of God’s everlasting approval and his steady kindness.
So, God the Holy Spirit, keep “gossiping this gospel” to my heart. Keep bearing witness with my spirit that I’m a beloved child of Abba, Father. Keep giving me the power to repent of all forms of living for the approval of people, a life-sucking snare indeed. I pray in Jesus’ liberating name.
Amen.