When I was in my twenty’s The Husband and I were in church with a wise older couple. As I look back I realize the “older” couple were most likely about the age that The Husband and I are right now…sigh.
Anyhoo, the woman once told me about a prayer she often prayed when she was up against an attitude she didn’t want to give up or a task she didn’t want to do…
Lord, I’m willing to be made willing…
I have prayed this prayer thousands of times since then, and let me tell you, what starts out to be a long arduous journey, when covered in God’s grace, usually ends up being merely a tiny foot-path. Sometimes it’s taken awhile but this is one prayer God has always answered for me.
*****
~When I don’t have the desire to let go of anger and unforgiveness …Lord, I’m willing to be made willing…
~When God gives me a direction that I don’t want go…Lord, I’m willing to be made willing…
~When I’ve needed to turn away from a destructive habit or addiction…Lord, I’m willing to be made willing…
~When I need to go to someone in humility and say I’m sorry, but pride is holding me back…Lord, I’m willing to be made willing…
*****
Right now I’m smack in the middle of an attitude that if left unchecked would plant a seed of bitterness deep in my soul. Every time The Father reminds me to let it go of the anger I feel this stubbornness bubble up in me and I start defending the poisonous feeling. So…I’ve been praying this prayer about ten times a day…I have faith, total faith that God will answer and bring me to a place of letting go.
Have you ever prayed this kind of prayer?
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
I can’t say Robin that I have prayed that exact prayer but I have in some form or another. But I like it and will have to make it part of my thought process and keep it at the front of my prayers as well. Thanks for sharing this. And I hope that whatever it is that keeps bothering you…you become willing to be willing. Love and hugs to you today.
Bill you’re probably much more willing to let go of things…bet you hardly need this prayer! Love to u
Yes, I’ve prayed it. It’s one MaBWA taught me a while back. It’s often difficult to say but so powerful.
Julie…of course your mom prayed this prayer, wise woman that she is! xoxo
I like this post. I have prayed something similar through the years and I think it’s probably had the same effect. There is a Scripture in the Old Testament, I think Ezekial, that says God will break our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh. Many times I have prayed and asked God to break my heart of stone over something and replace it with a heart of flesh. It’s a prayer that has never failed!
I love thinking about this as God giving me a heart of flesh…wonderful Lynn.
Great post! I was expecting you to go somewhere like “Patience.” Glad you didn’t.
We use these prayers quite a bit. That is one reason we are currently smack dab in the middle of an international adoption. God lead the way, He gave the strength, now He only has the financing left. He always provides what is needed, even if it is just our willingness.
.-= Philip @ RAOP´s last blog ..So, Why Did I Do This Again? =-.
Philip…oh for the love of pete I never ask for patience!
When you and your wife pray this prayer it’s with BIG results…prayers for the financing my friend, you have a big heart.
Love your honesty and truth. I seem to spend a lot of time confessing to God that on my own, I just don’t have the ability, or being honest, even the desire to let go of things, people, or issues, or sometimes the ability or desire to follow the path I know leads to His will.
His grace and mercy cover you and His heart will allow yours to heal and, in time, forgive.
Blessings and prayers………
Thank You Robin…..
Sharon…love u
I have prayed this prayer many times as I am praying it right now in my life as well. Thank you for your honesty and transparency..I learn so much through it and respect and love you so much.
Bekah…praying with you about everything going on in your life Sweet One…xoxo
Sometimes I am stuck with my hands in the air feeling I have no power… this prayer is a solution for me… especially when I am faced with the implication of others actions which can lead to a bitter implantation on my part ( as you mentioned) Verbalizing this spoken determination of humility to bow the knee of my heart will help to get me through these circumstances… Thank you for this anointed message from the Lord!
This just resonates with me so much… I am much more elementary in my prayer which just asks for help to see… but I like the “willing to be made willing.” I will take this with me today Robin, thanks for sharing those wise words.
Praying for you and sending love…
.-= Vicky´s last blog ..Shiny and new =-.
Vicky, I’m praying for you and yours my Sweet friend. Sending you hugs…xoxo
Mom – Do you remember that you told me this story back in 2005/06 when my life was a miserable wreck? After you told me, I was constantly praying this. I was so bitter and I would tell God that I certainly wasn’t willing to try, I wasn’t willing to change, I wasn’t willing to put forth any effort and I certainly wasn’t willing to love BUT that I was willing to allow Him to make me willing. I was willing to allow Him to bring me to a place where I wanted to try, to change, to love and I wanted him to uproot the bitterness. I probably prayed like that for months on end. It took a while but my heart was softened and I did try and I put forth effort. The roots of bitterness were ripped up and became feelings of compassion and sorrow (a good sorrow) It all didn’t end the way I thought it would but 5 years later my life is better, it’s happy, and I’m full of joy. Be patient in praying that prayer!!! I love you!!
Bebe…I do remember. Remembering now brings me to tears. I love you and I’m so proud of you. Thank you for reminding me that you listen to your old mom sometimes…love you to the moon and back…
Not in those exact words, but yes, something similar. It’s a great place to start.
.-= sherri´s last blog ..Need Some Inspiration? =-.
Sherri…thx so much for the tweet Sweetie ~xoxox
I “tweeted” this, BTW. It’s great.
.-= sherri´s last blog ..Need Some Inspiration? =-.
Robin, dear friend, you’ve given me a new prayer to help lift up my arms today. Thanks, I needed that.
Hugs.
Jean
.-= jean Fischer´s last blog ..No God, Not Another Valley! =-.
Jean, you are in my thoughts and prayers nonstop…I so want to help lift your weary arms. Sending love your way~xoxo
Thanks for this today. How did you know it was just what I needed to hear?
Thanks again for all you do.
Hugs,
Julie
XO to you my friend, I’m having an especially rough day today. Maybe this is just what was ordered for me to read today.
Thanks,
Teri
I have prayed similiar prayers but this is JUST the words that I need, right now. Thank you so much. I know God will making you willing to be willing!!!! XO, Pinky
I have prayed this exact same prayer often and sometimes have prayed that the Lord would make me willing to be willing when I wasn’t
I have learned that bitterness is more damaging to the angry person and can lead to far worse problems. I have also learned that God answers every prayer–just not always the way we want. Sometimes the answer is “no” or “not now”. Pray without ceasing 
.-= susan´s last blog ..Design Star…My Sunday Night Reality Fix =-.
Thank you Robin! Great prayer. I have never heard this but will make it a practice. In my travels I regret I missed this post the other day. Must have been needed today! Lord, I am willing to be made willing!
.-= Tom Raines´s last blog ..Today’s Affirmation: God strengthens my weak hands and steadies my shaking knees. =-.
This is an amazing prayer… I’m writing this one on the wall to remember.
.-= gitz´s last blog ..Gitz Bits 2010: Week 23 =-.
Just blog surfing to see your anklet and found the Willingness Prayer. I just copied it and will be reading it alot. I’ve been in a place where I didn’t want to let go of something and maybe this is another way God is reminding me to let go if it. Thank you so much, I really needed that.
Karen…praying for you Sweet One…
I’ve never thought about praying this way … but probably should have many, many times. What an incredible prayer – so powerful! Will be saving this post and making sure I remember to pray this way when I get a little stubborn and unwilling. Thank you for sharing.