I’ve been thinking about yesterday’s post, wondering about the appropriate response to the Holy Spirit touching the one thing I don’t really want to give up. In such a response–such a prayer–I must:
- submit my will
- acknowledge that I have placed this thing above God
- confess my sin
- repent
- renounce the thing and its place in my life
- plead for God’s grace
So, the rich young ruler might pray something like this:
Holy Father, I am convicted that I have placed money first and that I have not allowed You access to this area of my life. I confess that I have sinned in this, and I turn away from valuing money more than I value You. Father, I submit my money to You, and just as important, I submit my attitudes and desires to You. I know that it’s not really the money itself that is the problem–it is my heart toward it that creates separation between You and me.
Father, I renounce the love of money and declare that it will no longer have first place in my life. I declare that Jesus is Lord and Master of my life. I ask that You forgive me, and I readily receive Your love, mercy, and forgiveness. Father, I know that it is Your deep love for me that prompted the Holy Spirit to point out this issue, and I thank You that you love me enough to desire that I change. I cannot truly change without Your grace. Father, shine Your light into my life; Holy Spirit, I invite Your transforming power to penetrate into every area so that I can see all the ways that this sin has hindered my fellowship with You.
Now, you may be thinking, “Didn’t the rich young ruler just have to say, ‘Yes, Master’” and be done with it? Certainly! A prayer doesn’t have to be lengthy to be effective, and a heart-felt “Father, forgive me!” is all that is needed to receive His mercy.
But, prayer can be a way for us to work out issues, both with God and with ourselves. As I speak such a prayer to God–as I detail my sin and articulate my response and my decision–I’m not only telling God what I intend, I’m telling myself. Consider the traditional marriage vows. “I do” is enough to make you married; but we typically repeat vows that detail exactly what it is we intend to do. Speaking aloud my desire to change is a powerful tool in beginning the process of change.
Charis means grace, and that’s what this blog is about: grace, in all its—sometimes messy, always magnificent—manifestations. I’m Dan Butcher, and I invite you to join me in learning to lead a Christ-centered, grace-filled life. 
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.