Day 17 – Lord, Cause Me
Here’s an intriguing approach for prayer – “Lord, cause me. . . .” Maybe you’ve never prayed this way before. I have.
“Lord, cause me” can mean that I need God to push me to do what he wants me to do. Maybe I’m stubborn and unwilling, and I know it. But I’m also willing to be made willing, because I know in my heart that God’s way is best.
God didn’t compel the Israelites to enter the Promised Land against their will. But after wandering around in the wilderness and feeding on manna for 40 long years, they were ready and willing.
“Lord, cause me” can mean that I need God to prompt me to do what I really want to do, but I feel hesitant or indecisive or sluggish or fearful.
I need God to give me a nudge in the right direction. Or I need a burst of energy to take to next step. Or I need the Lord’s assurance that I’m making the right move.
“Lord, cause me” can mean that I want God to draw me out to himself. I want him to pull me close to himself with his arms of love and cause me to dwell in his presence.
Like the older Maranatha song: “Cause me to come to Thy river, O Lord. Cause me to come. Cause me to drink. Cause me to live.”
“Lord, cause me” can mean that I want the Lord to make me know and understand his instructions, his nature, his ways, so I can reflect on them all with delight and follow.
This is exactly what the psalmist invited of God: “Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds” (Psalm 119:27).
“Lord, cause me” can mean that I want the Lord to sensitize me in order to be receptive to his voice and responsive to his directives.
David prayed this way: “Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You” (Psalm 143:8, NKJV).
David longed to hear some affirming evidence of God’s unfailing love and to know with assurance some clear, God-given guidance. “Don’t let me down, Lord. Speak to me. Guide me.”
We want God to bring something about – some effect, some action, some result. “Lord, cause me – push me, prompt me, draw me, make me, sensitize me.”
Prayer: “Lord, make something especially good happen, and don’t let me miss it.”
~ Pastor Dave
