Prayers for those who long for change � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Prayers for thosewho long for change

Daily Transformation

A generous friend once treated me to a makeover, buying me gorgeous clothes and arranging for a swanky haircut and new makeup� My friend knew how much I’d changed in becoming God’s new creation and she wanted me to feel beautiful not only on the inside but on the outside too. Of course, those who believe in Christ don’t need new clothes to reveal God’s winsome Spirit to others� When we submit our lives to Him, Christ shines through. But as the Apostle Paul wrote in many of his letters, after we come to salvation in Christ, we must continue to put off the old self and embrace the new� This process isn’t passive, as Paul wrote to the Ephesians� In the original language, Paul employs active verbs for putting off the old self, being made new in our minds, and putting on the new self (see Ephesians 4:22–24)� The apostle emphasises that we are important partners with God in being made a new creation. And that God changes us—as Paul wrote elsewhere, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) This freeing message means that we can become more like Christ, moment by moment� We don’t have to be stuck in the mires of sinful patterns of behaviour, but through the Holy Spirit’s help, we can embrace a new way of living�

Amy Boucher Pye

A Prayer for Transformation Dear Lord, I long to be transformed into Your image. I pray that You would turn my fear into faith, my stubbornness into willingness, my pride into humility, my stinginess into generosity and my judgementalism into love. Renew my mind, I pray, so that I might be transformed and learn to know Your will for my life. Show me the areas of my life that I need to submit to You, and give me the grace to do it. Amen

A Prayer to Break Free All-powerful God, You promise that the same power which raised Christ from the dead is at work in my life. Lord, may I experience this power for myself. You know the bad habits and sinful addictions which hold me prisoner. I choose today, in this moment, to put my hope and faith in the truth that with You there are no dead ends. Work for my good, even in the challenge I face, and show me Your power to raise the dead, to break chains, to light up the darkness. Only You can free me, Lord. Please begin today. Amen

A Prayer to Avoid Conforming to the World Heavenly Father, please keep me from the complacency and ease of simply conforming to the world around me. It is hard to walk on Your good path, but I know You give the strength and desire to do so; and Jesus is my ever-present help and safeguard. Keep me in step with Your Spirit so that my heart will yearn for You more and more each day. Amen

5-minute Bible Study Galatians 5:16-25

16 I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want� 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law� 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like� I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God� 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control� Against such things there is no law� 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit�

1�

What are the opposing spiritual forces at work in a Christian’s life (v. 16)?

2�

What warning is given against the lifestyles of verses 19-21?

3�

In what ways is “the fruit of the Spirit” opposite to the “acts of the flesh” (vv. 22-23)? Which of the fruit do you need most today?

4�

How does being filled with the fruit of the Spirit remove the need for the law (referring to God’s law, not civil law)?

5�

What do you think it would mean to “walk by the flesh” rather than the Spirit? List out some practical ways you can “walk by the Spirit”, “live by the Spirit” and “keep in step with the Spirit” (vv� 1, 25)�

PRAYER: Father, thank You for saving me through Your Son, and giving me Your Spirit to transform me. Sometimes it feels like real change takes a long time to happen, but I know Your Spirit is more powerful than my flesh. Help me to stay close to You� Amen� WHERE NEXT? If you have time, read Ephesians 4:17-32 and Hebrews 4:12-16 and write down what you learn about what our new life with God can look like, and what our security is when we get things wrong� A BIBLE STUDY TAKE-AWAY! Why not see if thinking of practical ways to live out biblical instructions can help you apply other passages from the Bible?

DO NOT CONFORM TO THE pattern of this world, BUT BE

TRANSFORMED BY THE

renewing of your mind.

ROMANS 12:2