Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. -Psalm 25:4-5
When I was in my church’s Celebrate Recovery program, I learned a prayer that changed my life:
“Lord, please show me Your will, and please give me the power to be obedient to do what you ask of me.”
Of course it is good and righteous to pray for God’s will (which I also pray often: “May Your will be done, Lord.“)
However the prayer stated above–the prayer that changed my life and can change yours too–goes beyond just having open hands; it is an action prayer that submits our own will to God’s will in active obedience to him.
We have the beautiful gift of free will, given to us by the Lord. Often times, I believe it’s easy for us to say, “God I want _____, but Your will be done.”
Let me be clear: This isn’t a bad prayer at all. In fact, Jesus prayed in this very way when he asked the Father to take the cup from him on the Mount of Olives before he was crucified (Matthew 26:39-42). This is a beautiful prayer! Asking God’s will (and having open hands to accept His will no matter the outcome) is so lovely and good.
Seeking God’s will is also good. Again, I’ll quote one of my favorite verses:
“in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” -Proverbs 3:6
There are two important parts of this prayer:
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Asking God to reveal His will to you
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Asking Him for the power to be obedient to what he asks of you in order to fulfill His will for you
At first, this prayer might feel overwhelming to pray. I still remember thinking it felt scary, like a potential huge responsibility, especially if the Lord revealed His will to me all at once and asked me to just do it.
But to be honest, that’s not what God does. He craves our attention, time and dependence on Him. I’ve found when I’m walking with the Lord and seeking Him, he reveals His will to me, baby-step by baby-step, and patiently waits for me to be obedient to his small asks of me.
Most of the time, for me, it isn’t this: “Victoria, I want you to be a lifelong evangelist, start up a ministry in downtown Chicago next year, and sell five homes in Austin before July. This is My will. Go.”
I’m not saying God can’t say that. But if he told me that, I’d be extremely overwhelmed; in reality, I’d probably try taking the reins on the mission myself, rather than letting the Lord lead me along the journey.
Instead, most of the time for me, it looks like these:
“Victoria, sit with me.”
“Read Psalm 23.”
“Write a little bit every day.”
“Start your book. I want to use your testimony.”
“Share your writing.”
“Create and be merry.”
“Let me write you a letter.”
“Listen.”
“Speak to that person.”
“Go to this coffee shop today.”
“Bless this person.”
“Speak truth in love.”
“Ask her if you can pray with her.”
“Ask for help.”
“Break a soul tie.”
“Forgive ____.”
“Do this job with excellence.”
“Trust me.”
I encourage you to pray this prayer today. Ask God to reveal His will to you, and then be willing to be obedient to what he asks of you.
It will change your life.
Lord Jesus, you are worthy of our praise, our time, and our active obedience to you. May we always seek Your will and be obedient to your asks of us, big and small.
