Transfiguring Power of Prayer

And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

 Luke 9:29

What a day this must have been when Jesus was transfigured during His time of prayer, it moved Simon Peter to desire to never leave the mountain. During our time of prayer, we need to ask ourselves, “Who are we attempting to change?”  I would venture to say that most of our praying is trying to change circumstances, or perhaps trying to change those around us, but that is not what happened when Jesus prayed on the mountain. In Luke 9:29, the scripture says “the fashion of HIS countenance was altered.”  I fully understand what has been said through the ages that prayer changes things, and that is so true. But if we spend our prayer time, pushing for God to change others, we miss an opportunity to identify with our Lord…HIS countenance was changed by prayer.

In our rush to see our prayers answered, by God changing others or altering our circumstances, we miss the transforming power of prayer, on ourselves! Modern day Christians miss the lesson of what God wants to do to with us when we spend time alone with Him.  Yes, prayer can change people around you, but God has ordained that the change begins with you. The wife is the reflection of her husband. If he wants a different wife, he has to be “altered” in prayer so that the wife can reflect his change. Moses face glowed after being in the presence of God, the change was oblivious to all those who looked upon him. If we pray and stay with Jesus until WE are changed, those around us as well as our circumstances will be altered. God did not design prayer for us to use to try and alter those we want to change, but rather to change us to be more like Him.

Instead of praying for everyone else to change so you can be happy, pray for God to change you, so through your altering by Him, others will be affected for Him. Go to your closet of prayer today, ask God to transform your life and see how the world will look when you leave His presence. It’s time to stay at Jesus feet until we are truly changed into His image.

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Pastor Ron Macey has served as senior pastor at Royalwood Church for 30 years. He has a heart for our community and this is evident in Royalwood's mission: Reaching, Teaching & Serving. Follow Pastor Macey on Twitter.