21 Days of Prayer: Day 17 (Promise of Transformation & Sanctification)

DAY 17
Wednesday, October 30

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23
 
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
 
…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:6

PROMISE OF TRANSFORMATION AND SANCTIFICATION
Transformation is a hard, refining process that many of us give up on. We become comfortable or hopeless in our old ways, seeing no way out. We begin to identify with our struggles, but God calls us to so much more. He wants to finish the good work He started in us. To transform us into people who daily lay down our old ways, deny our fleshly desires and the the things that are killing us every day, until we are resurrected as people changed by the power of the Holy Spirit. To step into our full potential in Christ is to test and approve His will daily. As we seek to know Him and what he says over our lives (renewing our minds), transformation naturally takes place.

Renewing our minds looks like sitting at the feet of Jesus in every season to just listen to what He has to say. It’s constant prayer and worship with a hopeful and thankful heart. It’s opening His word (the Bible) and actually seeing the words He has spoken over our lives. It’s a heart-posture that needs to be taken to the Father every day for as long as it takes to know His character. He would much rather see us as butterflies than caterpillars, and He is willing to work with us every day until the cocoon (or what’s hindering us) breaks free. He is so willing to pick us up every time we fall—though that shouldn’t mean we are looking for ways to trip. Let’s take His hand again and focus on the steps He takes rather than the steps we take, least we trip again. Let’s allow His truth and His embrace to wash over us once again.

PRAYER
Lord, thank you so much that you have set me free. You have promised transformation in my life, and I will continue to trust in that until I see the production of its fruits. Lord, seek my heart and reveal to me what needs refining to be able to live in the purpose you have for my life. Help me walk in obedience to You, and through my obedience may others see the goodness of all You are. Give me strength to take up my cross daily, set aside the things of the world, and follow You with my whole heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
 
Pray For Our Church: Take some time to pray for Pathway today—the people who make up our church, the staff, the ministries, etc. Ask God to work in and through us.
Pray For Our City: Pray for the people of our community and ask God to be at work in our hometown.
Pray For Our Nation: Pray for our nation—its people and its leaders. Boldly and specifically make your requests, then submit those desires to God’s will. Express your trust in Him.

REFLECTION:

• How have you seen God's faithfulness and his promises lived out today?
• Write 2-3 points of gratitude, and thank Jesus for these things.
• Spend time praising God for who he is, what he has done, where he is at work, and what he has promised.

By Autumn Partin