Listen:
“And I will give them one heart [a new heart], and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God].” —Ezekiel 11:19 (AMPC)
Reflect:
Once upon a time, I was a Sunday School teacher for teenagers and young adults. We created a safe space for them to talk freely. Many confessed what they do in secret. Some went on to live in outright disobedience to God. I knew the grief of seeing young people brought up in the church living in rebellion against God. I felt the pain as a teacher and mother. This scripture gave me the lifeline of hope.
I knew repentance was the prerequisite for them to experience the joy of having a new heart and a new spirit. I understood this starts with recognising that they are living their lives outside God’s will and, therefore, acting stubbornly against Him.
This understanding shaped my prayers for the young adults within my sphere of influence. I could stand on the authority of God’s promises and willingness to take out their stony and stubborn hearts and give them a tender heart responsive to Him. A spiritual heart transplant is needed and possible for each prodigal in our lives. They can have the new heart God has made ready for them and experience the joy of restoration to newness.
While they are on the waiting list, we remain steadfast in prayers, trusting the power of the Holy Spirit to work on their minds to bring them to that defining point where they will make a roundabout 180-degree turn back to God.
There is hope for every rebellious child. A new heart is available for them. Don’t give up on them, praying mother. Wait with hope as you travail in prayers.
I am grateful to God for those who have had a successful heart transplant as I continue to pray for those on the waiting list.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do you have young people in your sphere of influence rebelling against God? How does this promise of God bring you hope for their restoration?
- Are there any areas of your life where you have developed a stony heart towards God because of the long wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled?
- Where do you need to acknowledge your stubbornness and repent so you can experience a new heart responsive to God’s touch?
Prayer of Response:
Heavenly Father, You are the greatest heart transplant surgeon ever known. Thank you for being so willing to take away the stubbornness in the hearts of our prodigal sons and daughters. Thank You for Your promise to make them eager to be utterly faithful to You. Please gather them with Your outstretched arms, draw them close to You and bring them into the new You have planned for them.
—Submitted by Irene Olumese
Irene is a lung transplant survivor and bilateral amputee who speaks and writes to inspire hope. As a certified Faith-Informed Transformational and Trauma Coach, Irene helps those facing adversities go beyond their traumatic experiences and find meaningful purpose. Irene is the Founder of the Feet of Grace Foundation, a charity organisation that provides prosthetic limbs for indigene amputees. She lives in Geneva with her husband, Peter.