A Prayer for God to Make You into the Person He Wants You to Be
By Christine F. Perry
Bible Reading:
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV
Read or Listen Below:
According to Healthline, the average human has 6,000 thoughts per day. It would be interesting to know how many of those thoughts are about ourselves. Many of us want things to work out in our timelines, a certain amount of compensation for our time, and our way. However, this is the exact opposite of how Jesus lived.
Luke 2:41-42 tells us that Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they returned to their home in Nazareth, they realized they didn’t know where Jesus was. They turned around and went back to Jerusalem to find him. When they located him, he sat among the teachers and asked questions. Luke 2:48 says, “When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother told him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” Jesus responded, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know I must be about My Father’s business?”
Later in Jesus’ ministry, he said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). Jesus was fully God and fully man. He had total authority yet submitted himself to the Father.
Philippians 2: 5-11 goes on to say this: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his advantage; instead, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the world, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Let's Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Jesus's example and for sending him to Earth to save and teach us how to live. Lord, please forgive us for thinking only of ourselves and our wants. Please help us submit our wills, thoughts, actions, and lives to you.
Lord, your ways are higher, more significant, and better. Please help us to trust you when we want to do our own thing and wrestle with you over who is steering the ship of our lives. God, you can see what we cannot. You know what battles and victories are ahead. You know our strengths and limitations. And you know how to make us into people who can be used for you and your glory.
Lord, we are prone to wander and forget your faithfulness and your character and love toward us. Please help us lean on you, knowing you are everything we need in every situation. Thank you for your sufficiency and immutability. We love you. Amen
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/kieferpix
Christine is just a lady who was given the gift of being raised in an incredible family. For reasons unknown to her, God has blessed her with an amazing life full of beautiful friendships, remarkable experiences, and a love from Him that is completely underserved. She desires to encourage others and share hope as we journey through the highs and lows of life. Christine is the author of How I Met Peace and For the Weary Life Traveler, a 31-day devotional. Check out more of Christine's work at her website: Learning to be fearless and her Patreon.
Related Resource: How to Choose Your One Word for 2026
This month on the How to Study the Bible Podcast, we’re starting a new series called One Word 2026, and it’s meant to be a gentle but intentional way to reflect, respond, and reconnect with God as we begin the year. In this episode, I’m walking you through why I love taking the whole month of January to pause and listen — rather than rushing into resolutions or putting pressure on yourself to “get it all together” by January 1. We’re going to start with Philippians 1:3–11, where Paul reminds us that we can have real confidence because God is still working in us, and He’s not finished.
Then I’m going to share six words I’ve been praying over for our community — six spiritual intentions that I believe reflect the kind of growth God may be inviting us into this year. You don’t have to choose one right away, and you definitely don’t have to force it — but I hope that one of these words will resonate in your spirit and give you a steady anchor for 2026.
This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
