Do you know Jesus? And if so, do you want to pray and accept Him into your life? If so, there is a simple example prayer at the bottom of this article you can jump to right now. If you’d like more info on what it means to say yes to Jesus, continue reading.

Who Is Jesus?

Even People who have grown up in church their whole lives might even struggle to know exactly how to answer this question. I wrote this post, and I still ask myself this question. So, if you’re not sure how to answer right away, that’s okay. Let’s wonder out loud together.

First, who is Jesus?
Jesus—the One Christians believe is the Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus—the One who is all God, but who also became all human for a period of about 33 years about 2,000 years ago.
Jesus—the One who was there when God decided to ignite the beauty and wonder of Creation.
Jesus—the One who became a vulnerable human baby, born to a Middle Eastern teen mother of little wealth.

Do you know that Jesus? The one who befriended the hated, defended women, showed prostitutes how to find real love, crossed racial lines, and corrected the leaders of His own religion.

Have you accepted Jesus as a real and historic figure but not yet as your friend and the leader of your life? Do you know Jesus as the great prophet who died on a cross but not yet as the S on of God who came back to life before promising us His Holy Spirit?

Accepting Jesus Means Trusting Him

Maybe you know Jesus as a church symbol or story you’ve heard about over and over but not as the human example and divine strength that makes everything new in your life. Living a life of faith means trusting in Jesus and experiencing His grace and compassion, even during challenging times.

Did you hear those stories as a kid—stories of Jesus dying so that you could live? Did you wonder how He got so good at forgiving—even forgiving the people who were killing Him? Those were the stories that got me wondering.

As I get to know Jesus, I keep finding more reasons for hope and joy despite the very real pain and fear in this world.

As I get to know Jesus, I keep finding more reasons for hope and joy despite the very real pain and fear in this world. I’m discovering the why behind my questions about my identity, and I’m learning what makes my life meaningful. My whole life, I keep finding this God who finds you even while you are running from Him. Do you know the God who loves you where you are when you feel stuck trying to avoid Him? Or the God who never leaves you where He finds you?

Maybe you can relate with me, and you feel like at some point someone asked you to ignore your knowledge of science, or history, or religion, or your own mistakes. But lately, I’ve been getting to know the Jesus who works through all those things.

Jesus Loves You As You Are

Do you feel lost trying to be loved by someone or something that just can’t quite do it for you? Is everything pretty good but nothing is ever enough? Do you feel more dim than light these days? Do you feel overwhelmed by the weight of your guilt, shame, or mistakes?

Jesus had just set a woman free from shame and the hypocritical, homicidal judgment of others when some religious men challenged Him about who He really was. He began to speak to them in the book of John, chapter 8, verse 12 (consider reading the whole chapter if you’re still not sure about Jesus).

Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” John 8:12 MSG

How does that sound? Would you like to be able to really see the world? To live a life that full of light, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control? To experience the radical forgiveness only Jesus can bring? Will you consider praying this prayer?

How can we pray for you?

Next Steps

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.