A Hard Prayer

I pray a lot on my commute to and from work. I'll turn off the radio, soak in some silence, and then pray. The other day I found myself unable to say words I knew I needed to say. I felt prompted to pray this: "Dear Lord, If I ever get caught up in a sin, or unaware of an addiction in my life, then please discipline me." I had dealt with someone that day who was being ripped apart by a sin that he/she was unable to see. This person was in the throws of denial and would not recognize the destruction and unhappiness being caused by their actions. I knew I would want God to discipline me if I ever fell into such a trap, but there in my car I could not bring myself to say the words. What if God would answer that prayer? Then I remembered a story when David chooses God's discipline over man's. He knew God would be more loving and merciful than man would. I want to challenge you this week to find someone who is living high on the hog. Someone who is really having a lot of fun reveling in sin. And then pray... "Dear Lord, please help me appreciate your discipline." "Please be with this person and help me be a shining light to them." "Forgive me of my sins, and help me forgive those who sin against me, Amen."