Prayer Transforms—Prayer Changes Me

You’ve heard it said that prayer changes things. Well, sometimes.

Sometimes we see God answer our prayers through changed circumstances or hearts, but other times things don’t change. The house goes into foreclosure. The divorce is finalized. The cancer rages on and finally wins the battle. For whatever reason, God, in his infinite—and loving—wisdom has not seen fit to change the thing we’ve brought to him in prayer time and again.

But one thing I’ve found to be true about prayer is that even when God doesn’t grant the change I desire— when he says “no” or “wait”—prayer still brings about change. It changes me.

As I bring my burdens to him in prayer, changes take place in my heart. Sometimes they’re dramatic and instantaneous, but more often than not, they blossom a step at a time as God does the work in my life that will draw me closer to him, that will conform me into his image.

Anxiety and worry melt into peace and calm assurance in my heavenly Father. Anger and unforgiveness grow into grace, like the grace given so freely to me. Bitterness that may have crept in gets uprooted while negative feelings about someone are replaced by compassion and love. My wisdom and need to control give way to the blessed relief of trusting utterly in him.

So even when it seems prayer is not changing circumstances the way I’d like, I’m grateful to know that coming to God in prayer is indeed doing a transforming work. I’m grateful to know that prayer changes me. How about you?

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

*When has the Lord changed you as you’ve prayed to him?

*I hope you enjoyed this encore post from February 2011!

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out in early February. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by kabilsCreative Commons License

Comments

  1. Beautiful truth!

  2. Prayer leaves me in awe of a God who lets us come to Him with anything that is on our heart.
    I love the verse in Hebrews that says we can come boldly, and yet it is so humbling!

    • Kathy, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I agree — it is beyond amazing that we can have such an intimate relationship with the God of the universe. And I love that verse in Hebrews too. So thankful we can approach God boldly, with confidence, and find grace to help us in our times of need. We are loved!

  3. Cheryl, when the answer is no or wait or just silence, prayer forces me to decide if I will trust God anyway.

    • Jana, I’m glad you mentioned that sometimes we hear only silence as we pray. I’ve been going through a season like that. And you’re right — silence or answers of no or wait do indeed force us to decide if we’ll continue to trust God. I pray I will always choose to trust — and I’m sure you hope for the same as well. Thanks for sharing.

  4. So true. One of the prayers that has changed me the most and is always answered is, “Show me my heart, Lord.” Inevitably, He’ll bring something to the surface that needs addressed. And goodness! Once it’s healed, or it becomes a work in progress, I wonder how and why on earth I carried it for so long! Thank You, Jesus, for freedom.

    • Kristi, what a wonderful way to pray — shows such an openness to the Lord and a willingness to let him work in your heart. Thanks for sharing — and yes, thanks to the Lord for freedom!

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