A prayer to not be ashamed

May the opinions of others not dissuade us from faithful action

Shame is powerful. The thoughts of others toward us can motivate much behavior, for better or worse. A false gospel that claims we will not suffer in this life motivates shame regarding our beliefs and the God in whom we trust.

It’s amazing how one Bible verse in church can inspire a whole chain of reflection. For me, today, it was:

For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day (2 Timothy 1:12).

Suffering makes us doubt. Suffering makes others mock our faith. If we allow ourselves to become ashamed because of the opinions and actions of others, we enable them to have power over our actions. As I heard this verse today, my prayer was that I might be kept from being ashamed so that I might be faithful to Him who called me and to what He calls me to do.

Reflection on that word, “ashamed,” inspired one of my favorite Bible study activities, which I seem to be recommending frequently of late, probably because I’m very convicted there is little use for my opinion on these matters but every use for what the Word of God says on these matters. I used Blue Letter Bible and searched for the word, “ashamed.” I recommend the exercise, and the prayer:

Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live;
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

Psalm 119:116