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Writer's pictureJacqui

"Don't Pray, 'Use Me, Lord.'"

Updated: Nov 20, 2021





Ever since an encounter with the Lord turned my life around thirty-three years ago, I have been delighting in serving Him in whatever way He has asked me to. It has been wonderful to watch Him work through me in many nations as I have stepped out in obedience to follow His instructions. Yes, He has used me.

The last two years have been different. Living on a farm in the wilds of Waitpinga, South Australia, I have completed a Grad. Dip. Arts in Creative Writing, nurtured flowers, vegies and chooks—hens for non-Aussie readers—and generally led a much quieter life. Yes, that’s probably due to the pandemic, but I believe it’s also been a designated time of rest and healing from wounds sustained on the battlefield of ministry and spiritual warfare. I have hosted a few meetings to spark God’s creativity in others and that has been enjoyable, but not dynamic.

I wasn’t aware of my concern that God wasn’t using me, but one day, as I was going about daily chores, He spoke clearly to me.

“No longer pray ‘Use me, Lord’ pray ‘Love on me, Lord.’” I pondered on that simple but profound invitation. He went on to elaborate.

“The heads of human systems use people to build their empires. My Kingdom is based on love. I am love. I want to love on people, not use them.” I thought about worldly empires—the Roman and Greek empires, Babylonia, Napoleon who had himself crowned emperor, the British empire; even employers who use others to build their business empires. Of course, there have been those who have governed well, but, outside of the church, it is rare to find a leader fuelled by unselfish love. Even in the church, there are leaders who are motivated by a desire for empire.

It is not a sign of weakness to admit to the desire to be loved. It is a necessity. Human beings were made to be loved. There is nothing in us that enables us to handle rejection, apart from the unconditional love of God.

“Let me love you," insisted the Lord. “When I have filled you up, you will overflow to those around you. I tell you the truth. I am not looking for those I can use, I am looking for a Bride whom I can make radiant with My love, a Bride who can do mighty exploits with Me, exploits of love. I will inspire her with many things that will express My heart and my plans for the nations.”

How many times have you heard “God wants to use you?” It’s time to think differently. Jesus is coming back for a Bride, not an organisation. He is looking for lovers, for those with whom He can be intimate. When we are close enough to hear his heartbeat, we will respond in love to partner with Him in whatever is on His heart, just as Jesus in His earthly life walked with and listened to the Father, truly representing the Father’s love. He will release strategies for business, entertainment, government, education, mercy ministries, etc. that are motivated by love alone. He will build His Kingdom as He pours out His love through those who truly know Him.

May you know the significance, delight and wholeness of being loved by the One who gave Himself totally for you, and longs to share in every part of your daily life, just because He loves you.


The lovely picture is by Torunn Urnes Meyer.

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