Answered Prayer

I spent some time this morning reading some old journal entries.  This was triggered by a gentle reminder on Sunday night of how much God has done in me over the years - gently healing, leading me, and showing me who I am as a beloved daughter of the King!  A prayer I've prayed through so many times (and am looking at more in-depth with the new Bible study) is from Ephesians 1:  ". . .that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe. . . ."  What an incredible prayer and what an incredible blessing to look at how the Lord has answered (and still answers) that prayer for me.  


If we spend time with these words, reflecting on their meaning and letting the truth of them sink deep in our hearts, Paul's prayer becomes our prayer; and I know that this is a prayer that God never seems to finish answering - it just goes on and on.  What a difference we, as the church, can make in this world if we take these words to heart and make them our prayer.  God calls us for his good purposes - to share his love, to be light in a dark world, to testify to the hope we have.  We're all called and chosen - sent out - and it can be as simple as reaching out to one person with love and compassion.  We don't have to think we're meant to do grand and glorious things on a global scale - although some might.  Our calling is as a follower of Christ - however he chooses to use us and wherever he chooses to send us (even in our own neighborhoods).


We can pray a prayer as simple as, "Here I am, Lord.  Send me."  The rest is up to God.  It's his business and job to figure out the rest and get us ready to do what he sends us to do.  That's the glory of walking with Jesus.  "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6)  The Lord sees us as we're created to be and will so gently and lovingly mold us into the beautiful creation he sees.  My gentle reminder of God's transforming love happened on Sunday night singing an old song and then hearing it sung again, so beautifully, by our worship leader as he blessed us with the gift of just listening as if God were singing the words to us:



I will change, will change your name
I will change, will change your name


I will change your name
You shall no longer be called
Wounded, outcast, lonely or afraid


I will change your name
Your new name shall be
Confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one
Faithfulness, friend of God
One who seeks My face