"Praise God, conviction is not our job. Such responsibility is reserved for God. Certainly we may be used as vessels through which the Spirit extends the invitation, but we are powerless to bring results [...] We have only one true source of results and that is intercessory prayer. We can pray diligently for the Holy Spirit and for that person to respond favorably." Beth Moore, Living Beyond Yourself. . . . Have you ever had an argument with someone, and just really desperately wanted them to see your side of things? (That or slap some sense into them--you know, whatever works for you!) Ever uttered the words, "If only I could just change him/her!"? Often this is the kind of approach we have towards our loved ones, whether it be just the one intense argument or a more foundational difference in beliefs/values; somehow we convince ourselves that we are personally capable of changing people's hearts and minds, "if only they would just listen." We forget that we are only human, in need of just as much change as they do but incapable of bringing it about. We forget that it is entirely by God's grace and power ALONE that we are able to change at all, let alone inspire others to change. . . ...And that's where prayer becomes so vital, so key to the change we're seeking in our and others' lives. Prayer orients our hearts in a way that DEPENDS on the power of the Holy Spirit (not our own) to bring about the change only He can bring. . . Prayer Challenge: How are we approaching our loved ones in a way that points to God, not ourselves? What does it look like to "be diligent" in our part, in daily and fervently praying for God to touch the lives of those around us? Lord, so often I am tempted to believe that I alone can change/help others...humble me to recognize that I am no one's Savior, and that it is only through the power of Your Spirit that I or anyone else can experience true transformation and life change. Amen. . . #prayerjourney #prayerchallenge #day6 #poweroftheSpirit #humility #transformationinChrist (at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI))
