A Willing Heart

Restore me to the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. - Psalm 51:12

Have you had others ask for prayer regarding a personal struggle, and they continue in that

struggle with no effort to change? The truth is that some people are not willing to make the

effort to change. It’s not a topic that is comfortable talking about, but when it affects our faith and desire to pray, we should be concerned. I’ve spent hours fervently praying for an individual who at times appeared to be heading in the right direction according to their prayer request, then stopped the process before there was a breakthrough. They would reply that they couldn’t be what I needed them to be even though they asked me to pray for their willingness to be willing. They weren’t willing to do the work. I struggled to wonder how far I should go to help them if they weren’t willing to put in the effort.

I had to realize that we can’t change people; they must be willing to do their part, which can

mean different things. It doesn’t mean your prayers aren’t heard and that you aren’t loving

them or that God isn’t listening. Battles can be fought through our prayers, assisting others

through their struggles, and prayerfully releasing them into the hands of the Lord to do His will. Either way, seek the Lord and be willing to surrender to His will and walk in His supernatural strength and wisdom. Your efforts are not in vain as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 6:10 and Ephesians 2:10. Whichever battle you are facing, whether it is caring about a loved one and praying your heart out over their struggles or the one receiving prayer in your struggle, we can call upon the name of Jesus for help (Romans 13:14), recognize that our battles are spiritual and of the flesh (Mark 14:38). We can read the Bible and live out His teaching for victory in our lives (Romans 8:26,37). We can trust that He will complete His good work in us because He is faithful (Philippians 1:6).

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving Your creation so much that You died for us so that we

may live a life with You in abundance. We ask for grace for those who are struggling to trust

that You can grant victory, and help those who are lifting them in prayer and caring about their lives so that You may be glorified. We are already victorious in You.

This devotion by author, Terrie Miles, is exclusively and solely shared with permission to New Beginnings Church. Any unauthorized printed reproduction, sharing, or use of this material is prohibited.