Recently I was asked to verbalize four or five words that describe myself. I struggled with the request. I could think of dozens of adjectives I would like to say accurately depict who I am, but in reality, it was just a wish list.
Most of the traits I long to possess pertain to character and self-discipline. Maybe you can relate to my struggle. For instance, I’d like to be patient. It’s important to me to be kind. I’d prefer to listen more than I talk. I want to give more than I take. I’d like to have an excellent work ethic. And above all, I want to love people.
The trouble is, in my own effort, I can’t bring any of this to pass. Neither can you. Trying harder doesn’t work. Attempts at self-improvement fizzle out quicker than a New Year’s resolution. If we were capable of transforming ourselves, Jesus wouldn’t have had to go to the cross on our behalf. But that doesn’t mean we can’t change.
Why?
Because God is in the transformation business and He cares about our character.
As I study the Scriptures, it’s clear that character change isn’t a result of trying harder. Character change isn’t about behavior modification. It’s a matter of the heart. I believe the primary ways God transforms our heart and character is through prayer, the study of His Word, and situations that make us aware of our total dependence on Him. Spiritually speaking, desperation is always a gift.
If you read Paul’s Epistles, you’ll see he opened his letters with prayer. In fact, the theme of thanksgiving and prayer is a common thread weaved throughout all of Paul’s writings. Interestingly, when I think of words that describe Paul, I would say, “courageous, bold, tenacious, driven, gospel-focused.”
Of course, these descriptions of Paul are all correct. It’s fascinating to consider how God transformed this fierce persecutor of the early church into the greatest missionary Christianity has ever known. But even a casual reading of Paul’s writings makes it obvious that Paul was constantly praying for spiritual endurance, interceding for other Christians, and for the gospel to spread.
Paul didn’t become a spiritual giant with laser-like gospel focus by trying harder and jumping higher. God transformed Paul’s character through his prayer life, the Word of God, and a series of difficult circumstances that were far beyond Paul’s control (2 Cor 1:8-9).
When Paul opened his letter to his beloved church in Philippi he greeted them this way:
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I a sure of this, than he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6).
Paul tenaciously prayed for the spiritual growth of those God entrusted to his leadership. If we want to have Godly character, we will do the same. If won’t happen by simply trying harder. The Bible calls for us to pray for ourselves, and those who God has placed in our sphere of influence.
What would the church in America look like if we prayed more fervently for our character than our personal comfort?
I’ll leave you with a quote from the Danish philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard, “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”
