I’ve been a Christian for a long time. But only recently have I made a conscious decision to pursue real change in my relationship with God.
I want more of Him.
I want to know Him more deeply, hear His voice more clearly, and do my part to advance His Kingdom. But beyond that, I want to know what it truly means to live life from the throne—to live as a daughter of the King instead of merely knowing that truth in my head.
I know I’m a citizen of Heaven. I know who God says I am. But if I’m honest, I haven’t always walked in that reality.
And I know I’m not alone.
Many of us want a deeper relationship with God, but we don’t always realize what that requires.
The Cost of Going Deeper
Going deeper with God means surrender.
It means giving up parts of ourselves that have become comfortable, even when those parts don’t align with God’s best for us.
Recently, my prayer has become, “Whatever it takes, Lord.”
God has answered that prayer.
Behaviors and attitudes I’ve carried for years have started rising to the surface. As He strips them away, He exposes places in my heart that need healing, correction, and repentance.
I’ve found myself on my knees more often lately—confessing sin, seeking forgiveness, and asking God to uproot things I’ve allowed to remain for far too long.
It isn’t comfortable.
I knew God would take me up on my “whatever it takes” prayer, but I admit there was an unspoken condition attached to it.
“Whatever it takes, Lord… just don’t make it too painful.”
Then came another honest confession.
“Lord, I’m scared of what this might mean for my life.”
The Loving Discipline of a Good Father
Over and over again, God reminds me that He is a good Father.
And good fathers don’t ignore destructive behaviors in their children. They lovingly correct them.
Sometimes that correction comes through conviction.
Sometimes it comes through pruning.
Sometimes it comes through difficult conversations between me and the Lord about, well… coming to Jesus.
Laying it down.
Pride.
Jealousy—which has been a big one lately.
Disobedience.
Strife.
Gossip.
The list goes on.
Scripture reminds us:
“For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
— Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)
And Jesus said:
“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”
— John 15:2 (NLT)
Pruning doesn’t feel pleasant while it’s happening. But pruning always serves a purpose.
God never removes something without intending to produce something better in its place.
The Humility of Honest Reflection
I’m laying all of this out here because I know this isn’t just about me.
It may be about you, too.
For a long time, I thought there really wasn’t all that much wrong with me. At least not compared to some people.
If we’re honest, we’ve all entertained that thought at one point or another.
But God showed me something important.
That attitude is pride.
The moment I started comparing my sins to someone else’s, I stopped seeing my need for transformation.
I don’t want to live that way anymore.
I want to be positioned for the Kingdom.
I want to stop obsessing over my flaws while also refusing to acknowledge them.
Yes, my flaws are many.
But God already knows every single one of them.
Nothing surprises Him.
Fully Known and Fully Loved
That’s where the beauty of this journey lives.
God knows me completely.
He knows every weakness, every failure, every hidden motive, and every struggle.
Yet He loves me anyway.
More than that, I believe He has been waiting for me to become honest enough—with myself and with Him—to let Him do this work in my heart.
It hasn’t been easy.
It hasn’t always been fun.
But I can honestly say this:
I’ve never felt more loved by my Heavenly Father than I do right now.
I’ve never felt more seen.
I’ve never felt more cared for.
The conviction has been strong, but His love has been stronger.
As David wrote:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
— Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)
A Prayer Worth Praying
If you’ve been wondering whether you should pray the same prayer—“Whatever it takes, Lord”—I want to encourage you to do it.
Yes, it may bring conviction.
Yes, it may uncover things you’d rather avoid.
Yes, it may feel uncomfortable for a season.
But momentary discomfort cannot compare to the glory that waits on the other side of surrender.
The glory of serving Him.
The joy of walking in obedience.
The peace that comes from living in His purpose.
The freedom that comes when we stop fighting His work in our lives.
After all, it’s never really been about us.
It’s always been about Jesus.
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for loving me enough to correct me. Thank You for refusing to leave me where I am. Even when conviction feels uncomfortable, help me remember that it comes from Your love.
Search my heart and reveal anything that keeps me from You. Expose pride, jealousy, disobedience, gossip, strife, and every attitude that does not reflect Your character. Give me the courage to surrender those things completely.
Lord, teach me what it means to live as Your daughter. Help me walk confidently in the identity You’ve given me and faithfully fulfill the purpose You’ve placed before me.
When pruning comes, help me trust Your hand. When conviction comes, help me respond with humility. When fear rises up, remind me that Your plans for me are always good.
Whatever it takes, Lord, make me more like Jesus.
In His precious name,
Amen.
If you’ve prayed this prayer, or if you’re struggling and need prayer as you pray it, leave a comment below. I’d love the opportunity to pray for you and encourage you on your journey with God.
