Cut Away

I thought God wanted to answer my prayers. It’s why I pray “in Jesus’ name.” Perhaps I’m overlooking something.

“Anyone who has faith in me will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, SO THAT THE SON MAY BRING GLORY TO THE FATHER. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)

Then why don’t I get what I ask for?

“You want something, but you don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:2-3)

Holy Spirit, You convict me.
I want You to do greater things in me, but only for the glory of God.
Change me, develop me, wreck me
if that will bring You glory.
I want Your glory. I do.
(I just struggle daily over the glory I crave for myself.
It wars against the glory You should have.)
This is my request: cut away the narcissism from my heart and mind.
Chop it up and make me useful to you.
Sever the selfishness in me, O God.
I know it will hurt, 
and I will question Your love and Your will while You’re doing it,
while You’re stacking up my issues, addressing them one by one.
So Holy Spirit, remind me what You’re doing each day when I pray: 
You are killing my vanity so that Your Spirit can reign in me, unhindered.
Cut down my ambition
so that my spirit and life will bring glory to God.

Amen.

image by George Hodan