An Answered Prayer

Recently, I wrote out this prayer.

Dear God,

Please take my life and use it for Your pleasure.  Often, when I stop and consider myself, I can't help but wonder what the purpose of my life is.  I feel like I'm not "doing" anything for You, and I don't like that.  And yet, I feel powerless and inadequate to change that.  God, please call me and equip me to do Your will.  I want to live this life to the fullest.  When I stand before You one day, I want to have no regrets.  I want to hear You say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  I feel like I am far from being a good and faithful servant.  God, please change me.  Implant in me a deep desire to work for You--a desire so deep that no amount of fear can hold me back.  Replace my fear with zeal, excitement, boldness, and every other quality that the Lord's bondslave must possess.  God, I have this weakness in that I tend to tune out what's going on around me.  I get so wrapped up in my thoughts or my tasks that I become completely oblivious to my surroundings.  God, please change that about me lest I continue in this pattern and tune You out, becoming oblivious to what You are doing around me.  How terrible would that be!  God, let me be tuned in to You at all times and under all circumstances so that I don't miss Your call or even just the opportunity to commune with You.  Draw me close, God, for I desire to draw near to You.  I want to know You more.  Oh, how I look forward to the day when I will "know fully" (1 Cor 13:12)!  But until that day comes, dear God, help me to live for You.  Call me.  Equip me.  Use me.  I am Yours!

I never intended to share this prayer here, but now it seems that I must.  You see, the day after I prayed this, God began answering.  A situation arose, and I knew without a doubt that God was calling me to respond in a certain way.  In fact, I knew that my disobedience would undoubtedly lead to my regret (see Romans 14:12).  He was asking me to do something that my flesh was unwilling to do; but praise be to God, for He equipped me with the faith to obey!  It is on the heels of this that I pray...

Dear God,

I am in awe of You.... Thank You for so quickly answering my prayer and for giving me the faith to obey You.  Although it was hard, it feels good to obey Your call and to be used by You. I am so grateful to be Your bondslave, dear God.  Please continue to call me, equip me, and use me as You see fit; and give me the grace and the faith to obey!  Amen!