Father, I come before You, recognizing my tendency to fear the opinions and judgments of others. I acknowledge that has often led me to seek approval from man rather than from You. Your Word tells me that “the fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe”.1 I long to place my trust in You, knowing that true safety comes from You alone. Lord, I confess I have sought to please others instead of seeking to please You. I desire to align my heart and actions with Your will. Your Word reminds me that if I try to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.2 Help me to remember that I am approved by You, and my aim should be to please You, not man.3
Father, I ask that You strengthen me to resist the fear of those who are like grass, fleeting and temporary. May I not forget You who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the Earth.4 Teach me to prioritize Your glory above the approval of others, just as Jesus warned against loving the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.5
Lord, I know that I cannot serve two masters. I choose to serve You alone.6 May I work for You and not for men, seeking Your approval in all that I do.7 Help me to take refuge in You, for it is better to trust in You than to trust in man.8 Give me the strength to say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”.9
Father, I pray that I would fear You alone, the One who holds both soul and body, and not those who can only harm the body.10 Help me to obey You rather than men, following the example of Peter and the apostles.11 In Jesus’ name, Amen.