For another purpose, I was reworking and expanding a prayer I wrote 14 years ago and I realized how appropriate it would be for Lent, a season for asking the Lord to change our hearts...
Some things
in my life need changing, Lord,
- and I wish I could change overnight -
but change comes slowly to me
- because I come so slowly to change…
So, help me change, Lord!
Open my mind, my heart and my soul
to see the changes I need to make,
the changes you, Lord, are working to make
the changes I know you want to make
in my wounded, mixed-up, broken life…
Change me from the inside out:
reboot my heart till it beats as one
with your heart, Lord…
Change my thinking
till my thoughts sync with your thoughts,
with your wisdom and your word...
Change my attitude, Lord:
when I want to give up
– make me hopeful;
when I pity myself
– help me see your blessings;
when I want to give in
– make me strong of heart;
when I’m down on myself
– help me know I’m loved;
when I’m filled with doubts
– strengthen my faith;
when I’m giving up
– renew my resolve;
when I’m slow to act
– kick me in the butt;
when I’m prejudiced
– open my mind;
when I’m selfish and greedy
– open my heart;
when I’m proud and stubborn
- humble my spirit;
when I’m hot with anger
– cool my rage;
when I’m losing control
– reign me in;
when I’m stupid and foolish
– smarten me up!
Stretch me, Lord,
stretch me to be the person
you created me to be…
Open my eyes to see your hand
helping me change every day of my life…
Open my ears to hear your voice
guiding me through what I need to change…
Open my lips to pray, Lord,
for the help I need to make the changes
I find the hardest to make…
Open my mind to understand
how my thinking needs to change…
Open my hands to work for change
that will serve and lift up others…
Open my heart to your Spirit, Lord,
shaping, shifting and changing me
in the ways I most need to change…
Heal me and mend me, reform and repair
what's wounded and torn, broken and bent
my life, in my heart,
in my words and my deeds…
Some things
in my life need changing, Lord,
- and I wish I could change overnight -
but change comes slowly to me
- because I come so slowly to change…
So, give me the grace for change, O Lord:
the changes I really need in my life,
the changes that I find hardest to make,
the changes you want me to make in me,
the change that will change
and set me free…
Amen.
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