“And so, dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy—the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you”—Romans 12:1-2(TLB).
In May 2002, I began to pray what some call the most dangerous prayer of all: “Lord, use me.”
Each day that month, I walked down to the nearby lake where I lived after some major changes in my life. Sitting on a concrete picnic table overlooking the lake, I sought God’s will for the rest of my life. Each prayer ended with asking God to use me for His purposes. While I was still three years away from retirement, God was working in my heart to prepare me for the next chapter of my life.
Fast forward to April 2005 when—after nine months of arguing with God about that direction—He made it clear to me I was to leave the area where I had lived since I was 16-years-old and move to a larger community where I knew very few people. May 2005 marked the end of my 30-year teaching career and the new adventure He had planned.
What happens when we surrender our plans to Him? You can bet He will use us, as well as bless us as a result.
Born in 1870, author Lettie B. Cowman, along with her husband, left the United States in 1901 to work as missionaries in Japan. Along with other friends, they co-founded the Oriental Missionary Society as well as several Bible Training Institutes.
A former student of mine, now a veterinarian, has answered God’s call to serve. Since 2008, Kathy has gone on 10 overseas mission trips, including Mongolia, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, where she has shared her knowledge of animal care as well as her love for God.
God won’t call all of us to serve overseas. Maybe that’s why some fear asking Him, “Lord, use me.”
Actress Roma Downey stepped out in faith with her husband, Mark Burnett, to produce “The Bible” television series. She says, “It’s very true that that prayer, ‘Lord, use me,’ can be dangerous. You never know what will be asked of you.”
So, how will you know what God wants you to do? You’ll just know! He’ll tell you. And, He’ll repeat it, again and again, if you aren’t paying attention the first few times. And, if you are as stubborn as I was, He’ll probably have to hit you over the head with a holy 2 x 4. That’s what happened to me.
If you really want to be used for His purposes, you’ll know it’s from God. Ask God to use you and see what happens. Be ready because He will. I’m living proof of that.
My curiosity got me and I had to know what you considered the most dangerous prayer! I agree and oh that we would agree with His perfect will for our life..Who knows who would be blessed if we had the courage to follow and obey! Thank you for this post!
Susan,
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog post. Praying for God to use us is definitely dangerous in the sense that it will turn your life upside down but each day will be a new adventure. God bless you and please feel free to share my post with others in your network.
Carol