Lord, Change Me: Day 2 – A Dangerous Prayer
When I’m honestly praying, “Lord, change me,” what am I actually praying?
In praying, “LORD, change me,” I’m acknowledging that only God can really change me from the inside out. The prophet Jeremiah stated: “Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil” (Jeremiah 13:23).
In praying, “Lord, CHANGE me,” I’m acknowledging that I need a personal transformation. Paul wrote that we “are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
In praying, “Lord, change ME,” I’m acknowledging that I’m the one who needs to change. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3).
Early one morning Jim Clark, a pastor in Texas, couldn’t sleep well. Frustrating thoughts floated through his mind as he mulled over people who irritated him and wished they would change. The message he had heard preached the previous day was still on his mind.
The preacher had described ways we can allow the Holy Spirit to transform our lives: “If you’re no different than you were five years ago, are you really allowing Christ to change you?”
Reflecting on that question in those quiet, restless, early morning moments, the Lord convicted Jim of how he was focusing on wanting others to change and neglecting how he needed the Holy Spirit to shape him in becoming more like Jesus.
Another scene from the night before also invaded his thoughts. His daughter told him how she felt put down when he commented on a career she was considering. He also remembered how quickly he became so defensive.
He further thought about his impatience with all his children and his insensitivity to his wife. These things made him realize how far he had yet to grow in becoming like Christ.
He began praying: “Father, whether others around me change or not, would you point out my character defects and my sins and transform me more by your Holy Spirit. I’m open and willing to change. Right now I make myself available to you, so you can form Christlike character in me.”
To pray “Lord, change me” is a dangerous prayer, because, like all prayer, God will answer it.
Prayer: “I know, Lord, I need to change. Lord, change me.”
~ Pastor Dave
