“A Pattern Worth Changing”
Habits, patterns, modes…we all have them. Mornings tend to gain rhythm with coffee habits, daily patterns get put on repeat and routines tend to shift us into autopilot mode. I personally thrive as a creature of habit; following a daily rhythm helps set my mind up for the day, but a particular pattern that needed to change was the content of my prayers….
Prayers, like our mornings, can become a bit routine or monotonous. I love talking with The Lord and I love including Him in all the things of the day, but sometimes my prayer can turn to autopilot mode and follow a pattern of the usual “Lord, please protect, guide, heal, bless….” you know all the familiar words. I knew the Lord still heard these words, but I felt a tug to examine this area and not wait for crisis mode prayers to involve allll the words.
Through a recent study of Revelation, a word kept reoccurring before my eyes (and heart)-repent. For some reason, a twist on Aretha Franklin’s song ‘Respect’ unfolded in my mind, “R-E-P-E-N-T, find out what it means to me...” I sang that tune to my oldest daughter and received a quick eyebrow raise that implied ‘please don’t sing that again.’
But seriously, I had to really explore that word in my heart. Of course, I was familiar with it, but felt certain it was not part of my daily prayer. Requesting The Lord to be with me in my actions throughout the day -absolutely. Seeking forgiveness for sinful actions-yes. Asking The Lord to guide and protect our family-of course. But, remembering to say, ‘Lord, may I take time to recognize and repent of things that break Your heart’…not a routine request.
What I came to realize is ‘repent’ is probably the biggest word I needed to be leaning into with prayer. The habit of seeking guidance and protection was not to be dismissed, but pressing into acknowledging that my spiritual growth will require an ongoing awareness of areas to repent was a habit I wanted to form. The Lord will transform and renew daily whatever sinful pattern may be forming, but acknowledgement is critical.
As a Christian, repentance should not be a word we cringe at, but one that represents a gift offered by our compassionate God. Turning away from that sinful habit benefits us to experience purpose, wholeness, and peace through Christ in all areas of life.
So, I leave you with this question, have the words in your prayer become a bit monotonous? If it has, know that God is still listening, and He does not get bored. But if you have simply fallen into a comfortable rhythm that slides into autopilot mode with daily requests, I encourage you to consider mixing it up with that word repent. Ask The Lord to reveal areas that you may need to repent of and then sit with Him in prayer thanking Him for the gift of His Son so we can move forward in repentance.
It is no coincidence that my busy rhythm of life delayed my entry of Purpose with Perspective to today-Election Day. We need to pray for repentance in the hearts of so many people as we await today’s outcome; adding the words honesty and honorable behavior to the list, because we can all agree our country needs it more than ever.
