Dangerous PrayersNäide

CHANGE ME

When I say this prayer, I have to ask if I mean it. I think I actually mean, change me … in a way that is comfortable to me. Do I want to change more into Christ’s likeness? Yes. Do I want to make changes so I can be used by Him more? Yes. Do I want to change my entertainment habits? Not really. Do I want to expand my giving? Hmmm. Am I willing to let God flip my world upside down for His sake? I’m not so sure.

There are areas of my life that I am fully willing to let God change. I don’t mind the discomfort, but there are other areas where I am content being comfortable, and I fear what God will change if I let Him into those places.

We often downplay how God wants to change us. I have frequently heard, "It's not like He's asking you to sell everything and move to Africa." Yeah, but maybe He is! Jesus made huge asks of people to change, to leave their lives and follow Him, to pick up their crosses, to sell everything, and to "hate" their family compared to Him.

In Psalm 51, David pleads with God to change him. He wants to live differently. In verse 12, he prays, "And grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” That’s my prayer right now - give me a willing spirit. In other words, I want to want to change. I want to stop white-knuckling the comfort of my life and let God pry open every finger until my palms are face up to Him, and I can truly pray, "CHANGE ME."

Where does God desire to make changes in your life, and are you willing to let Him?

Lisa Kaiser