A friend sent this poem / prayer to me. It is a response & reflection on how God is speaking to & working in her heart in response to our current series “FORMED”
It’s awesome and I asked her if I could share it with you. Here it is:

Prayer of Transformation

Father, I forgot what it was like to pass through the fire and have pain, for my good.
Because I willingly kept my flickering candle lit with control and happy places,
…Feel good energy, I traveled in the middle, and it WAS good.

I didn’t lack fruit or love,
I was productive and even opened myself up to lessons and growth!
I gave and served, even sacrificed.

I celebrated every moment I walked with You –
Of mountains climbed or valleys overcome,
I practiced disciplines and sought your face daily
…But even that wasn’t the flame of injustice or adversity,
The fire of refining that you feel will consume your very being
…and destroy the essence of who you are
If it wasn’t for You,
…For Your loving intervention of Your loving transformation, of me.

Thank you for reminding me how to cry out
To bleed emotionally
To feel and identify with Your sufferings and those of others.
I am in the painful birth of true transformation
And the beginning of death to my fleshly premeditated and controlled conformation.
I am yours.

To You be all glory, honor and praise. Amen

Written by Rikah Thomas 1/8/10