A Prayer For Transformation

A prayer for Transformation

When I don’t know what to do with my worst enemy

Lord,

The person who has hurt me the most keeps coming to mind. My guess is that you have something to do with that. And I don’t think you are bringing him to mind so I can plan how to hurt him, but rather so I can pray for him. Is it possible you could change this person into a loving, on-fire believer? I don’t doubt that you can. If you can turn the murderer Saul into the apostle Paul, you can certainly do a work of transformation in my greatest enemy. You are the God of transformation! But too often, in my sinful nature, I don’t want you to do your work of healing and change in others. Help me to be eager for transformed lives. Lord, the next time I find myself hating that person who makes my life miserable, transform my heart so that I pray for him instead. Then don’t let me be surprised if I see you begin to change him. I know you’ll be changing me, too!

The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. . . . I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! . . .” But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.” Acts 9:11-15