Give me… Make me…
Consider the story of the Prodigal Son. Before he left home, in his immaturity, he demanded, “Father, give me…” (Lk. 15:12). But when, as the Bible puts it, “he came to himself” (vs. 17), his plea was, “Father…make me…” (vs. 18-19). He was willing to bow low at his father’s feet and learn to be the humblest servant in his father’s house.
As individuals or as churches we often find our prayer times full of “gimmes.” We list our wants and wishes with great persistence. And they have their place, of course. But we might better say, “Father, make me.” Make me the kind of compassionate person who will reach out to others. Make me the kind of humble servant in Your house that will support and encourage our leaders, and draw others into our church family. Make me what I ought to be, so the Holy Spirit can do His work unhindered in our church.