Day #6: Prayers to Pray During Times of Change #YouandYourGirl series

Day 6 of 9 | Lord, make me good | 9 Prayers to Pray During Times of Change | #youandyourgirl series {May 2015} by Lynn Cowell

Day 6: Lord, Make Me Good

The radio lyrics fanned the flame to reach the incredible pinnacle of 17. Everything in me just wanted to get through high school and be there already; experience the very best age possible.

 

Looking back, I don’t remember this last year of high school as a year I would want to relive because it was so amazing. I do recall a lot of tension. An uncomfortable time between my mom and I as my mind told me I was ready to leave home, but my reality didn’t make it quite possible. Stuck between the here and the not yet, the power struggle didn’t make my last months at home the most enjoyable…for anyone.

 

As nurturers, we can look back on our own growing up experiences and vow we won’t repeat them with those we love. We’ll give more freedom as they try to make their own decisions. We won’t require them to tell us where they are every minute of every day. We’ll do our best to let them grow up so they can learn to be responsible, productive young adults.

 

Then why is it, when we have all of the best intentions, we still find ourselves doing those things we don’t want to do?

 

Yelling when under stress. Withdrawing because we feel hurt. Closed-minded when our children dream the impossible.

 

I’m not quite sure the why behind all the things we do that we said we wouldn’t.

 

I do know: we’re not alone.

 

The apostle Paul did the same thing: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15)

 

So, when we find ourselves wanting to be less than good when it comes to loving others, we can stop beating ourselves up when we fail. We can trust that God wants to and will empower us with the strength and grace we don’t have in ourselves, but can find in Him. We can find this power just as Paul did: “we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit”. (Romans 7:6) We can find the ability to be good and serve others by His spirit.

 

You can do this, friend. You can give to your family in a way you could never do alone, but can do in His strength. We have to be sure we’re not doing it alone.

 

Jesus, if I am going to show and do any good today for those I love, I have to have Your Spirit living through me. Pour in me and then pour through me. Amen

 

Times of change can pull out the worst in us, tempting us to behave in ways we’re not proud of. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see and choose, today, the opportunities we have to do good.

You can read all the May You and Your Girl series here.

Lynn

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