Raw Prayers: Praying Through Our SinSample

USE ME

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

Psalm 51:13

As we have already learned, the prayer of David that we have been studying is his heart cry for forgiveness after his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and his subsequent murder of her husband. How could David possibly think that he could be used by God to teach transgressors God’s ways? Would sinners really listen to him and return to God? Wouldn't God say- “No thanks David. I have better people to represent me."

David is not being presumptuous. He is not being arrogant. When a person’s eyes are opened to the way of being made right with God, they naturally want others to know the same. When a person is overwhelmed with what they have received solely by the love and mercy of God, the only logical response is to worship Him and to desire that God receive more worship by more worshipers. And no, it’s not presumptuous to hope that God would use you. It’s not arrogant to think that you have something to offer. This is God’s plan. God wants to hear you say the words, “Use me.” Or, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Here I am! Send me!”

Do you know what you have learned during this time of deep darkness, hopelessness, and guilt? You have learned the way of forgiveness. You have come to know God more deeply as the One who is unchanging in His love and abundant in mercy. You have learned how to be clean by the blood of Jesus! You have learned the way of reconciliation, the way to being right with God. And if you stumble again, you know what to do so that your sweet fellowship with God will be restored!

By the grace of God, your path of disobedience and failure has been turned into a school in which you have been trained to help fellow sinners learn the ways of God, return to God, and worship God. You are now an ambassador for Christ! Pray daily, “Use me.” For this is God’s plan. Reconciled people are God’s hand-picked messengers for His work of reconciling others.

Ask Yourself:

-Do I long to help others discover the forgiveness and love of God that I have found?

-Am I willing to pray “Use me, Lord” every day?

-What would I say if someone asked me how to get rid of guilt?

Pause to pray through your guilt: O God, my Savior, use me. I want to teach others your ways. I want to see people return to you. O Lord, open my mouth that those around me will hear me praise you. “Here I am, send me.” Amen

Take a Next Step:

-Find more resources at www.whoisgrace.com/READ.

-Look for the Raw Prayers season of the MY CHAIR podcast to supplement this reading plan.

-