Help Me To Respond Well

I had this thought yesterday morning as I was in the middle of praying for the people I love in my life.

My thought was this, "God, help them to RESPOND WELL."

"God, help me to RESPOND WELL."

I have found myself praying for people I love... people I want to see encounter God in a radical way... this way, "God, help them to experience Your Presence today." "God, give them an awareness of Your Spirit." "God direct their steps today." "God show them Your will for their life."

But the Holy Spirit whispered it to me yesterday to pray in a way that doesn't just enlighten consciousness, but encourages changed behavior.

For instance, when we pray, "God help them to experience Your presence today", that is a fantastic and very powerful prayer, but I believe it's further intensified by the addition of, "and help them to RESPOND WELL to Your presence."

Because knowing and doing are two totally different things.

I can KNOW the will of God for my life, and behave irresponsible to the call.

I can KNOW and even become AWARE in my senses that the Spirit is upon me, and become reckless in the stewarding of His Holy Spirit that rests as a dove upon my shoulder.

I must live AWARE of Him and pray to RESPOND WELL to Him.

I have several sticky notes that reside many places throughout my home with this single reminder, "God, help me get this right."

My prayer always is, "God, You have taught me in Your Word to love my neighbor as myself, help me get this right." "God, You have taught me to forgive my enemies, help me get this right." "God, You have shown me how to carry redemptive solutions into every environment, help me get this right."

And the list goes on and on.

Let's begin praying it today. "God help me RESPOND WELL to who You are, what You're doing, and what You expect from me. Help me get this right!"