Prayer That Reshapes Priorities: Letting God Guide Your Desires
Devotional week 8
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” — John 15:7 (NIV)
When exploring the Hebrew words used for "prayer," we discovered that there is more than one term, each highlighting a different aspect of prayer: asking, pleading, crying out, interceding, and examining one’s own heart before God. This shows that prayer is far more than a list of requests; it is a living encounter with God, where we place our lives before Him and allow Him to reshape our desires and priorities.
The Bible teaches that prayer is much more than presenting needs. Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7), but prayer is also a space for reflection, surrender, and alignment with God’s will (Philippians 4:6; Romans 12:2). When we seek first God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:33) and trust in Him with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5–6), our desires and decisions are shaped by Him, rather than by our immediate impulses or needs.
As Christian author Jon Bloom, co-founder of Desiring God, points out:
“The promise of Jesus to ‘ask whatever you wish’ is only fulfilled when we remain in Christ and His Word remains in us — because it is this that shapes our desires to align with God’s desires.”1
In other words, prayer is not merely about making requests—it is about allowing God to transform what we truly want so that what we ask for aligns with His purposes.
In practice, this is visible in everyday life. A study by the Barna Group found that nearly half of Christians who pray regularly seek personal guidance during times of crisis, showing that prayer is directly linked to decision-making, direction, and the reshaping of priorities. 2
For those of us working in secular environments and dedicating our professional lives as tentmakers—bringing faith into our daily work—this perspective on prayer is vital. The workplace becomes a field where we can actively surrender, allowing God to shape our choices, priorities, and ambitions, turning everyday tasks and decisions into opportunities for service and witness.
Challenge
Today, select one decision, desire, or priority in your life and present it in prayer to God. Watch how He transforms your thoughts, aligns your motivations, and guides your choices to honour His Kingdom.
Prayer
Lord, help me to place my desires before You. Teach me to pray with sincerity, to trust Your guidance, and to allow my desires and priorities to be shaped by You. May I seek Your Kingdom first, and may everything I do reflect Your will. Amen.
Footnotes
A Tent International Devotional — by a tentmaker in South Asia