Pray to see changes in ourselves

Pray to see changes in ourselves

We pray to see changes in ourselves. Do I hear you saying “Ugh, lets move on to the next chapter!”? It seems that we have a propensity to judge others actions and not our own. To evaluate others behavior, but yet ignore our behavior. It is so much easier isn’t? I agree – but that is not what our Jesus asks of us, is it?

Our Lord and Creator, who knows us better than we know ourselves, admonishes us to not to judge others (see Matt. 7:1-2) and goes on to push in a little deeper and harder with “And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye” (Matt. 7:3-5 NLT).

We are informed in James 4:12 there is only one judge, and it sure isn’t us. And who are we to judge another anyway? (see also Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13) But, the good news is – there is hope, He gave us His Holy Spirit to help us in our weaknesses (see Rom. 8:6a). He gave us His Holy Spirit to partner with us, to guide us, assist us and encourage us. We simply cannot do it without Him – nor would we want to.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we are instructed in Ephesians 4:22-24 to “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Oh, how can we not thank Him and Praise Him that in Christ, we are a “new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17)? Should we not shout “Oh Hallelujah, I am a new creation in Christ Jesus!”?

So, where do we begin with changes in ourselves that He highlights? Per the Word of God, it always begins with repentance. We should cry out with David “Examine me, O Lord, and prove [test] me; try my mind and my heart” (Ps. 26:2). David also cried out “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’— and you forgave the guilt of my sin” (see Ps. 32:1-5 1984 NIV).

I love what David prayed in Psalms 19:12-13 “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me.” And should we not cry out with Jeremiah “Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD; Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven” (Lam. 3:40-41)?

Oh, merciful and forgiving Lord Jesus, who’s abounding-love never ends. We come to you today confessing our sins and asking You to search our hearts and minds. We bow down in humble repentance asking for forgiveness. Cleanse us, wash us, in Your precious Blood, and though our sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow, and though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. May we search out and examine our ways, turning back to You Oh Lord. May we lift our hearts and hands worshiping and thanking You for all You are and all You have done for us that we may become more like You.