Lord, What Do You Want Me to Do?

Too often, our prayers sound like a list of demands. "Lord, fix this," "Lord, bless me," "Lord, take away that problem." While God certainly wants us to bring our needs to Him (Philippians 4:6), there is a deeper, more mature approach to prayer: asking, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” This question shifts the focus from ourselves to Him. It moves us from being the centre of our prayers to making God’s will the focus.

Consider this: When Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, his first response was not, "Lord, rescue me from this blindness" or "Lord, explain Yourself." Instead, Saul, who would later become the Apostle Paul, asked, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" (Acts 9:6, NKJV). That question marked the beginning of a radical transformation in his life.

Listening to God’s Voice

Asking God what He wants us to do requires us to listen, something many of us struggle with in a world full of distractions. In Isaiah 30:21 (AMPC), God promises, “And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.” But to hear that voice, we must quiet our hearts and make space for God to speak.

I once found myself overwhelmed, juggling ministry responsibilities and personal challenges. My prayers were filled with instructions for God: “Lord, make this happen! Lord, change this situation!” One day, I felt a nudge in my spirit to stop and ask, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” The answer came gently but powerfully: “Surrender this to Me. Trust My timing.” That moment of obedience brought clarity and peace I hadn’t experienced in weeks.

Biblical Examples of Obedience

The Bible is full of examples of people who asked or followed God's direction rather than dictating their plans to Him. Take Mary, the mother of Jesus. When the angel told her she would bear the Son of God, her response was not, “But what about my plans?” Instead, she humbly said, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled" (Luke 1:38, NIV). Her willingness to align her life with God’s will changed the course of history.

On the other hand, Jonah resisted God’s direction, running in the opposite direction of His calling. It wasn’t until Jonah surrendered and obeyed that God’s plan unfolded, both in his life and in the lives of the Ninevites (Jonah 3:1-3, NKJV).

The Heart of Surrender

Why is it so hard to ask, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” At its core, this question requires humility and surrender. It acknowledges that God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9, TPT). It’s an act of trust, believing that His plan is not only better but also for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28, MSG).

A great man once wrote, “The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” When we surrender to God’s will, we step into His peace, trusting that His plans are perfect even when we don’t understand them.

Practical Steps to Align with God’s Will

1.Pause and Pray

Begin each day by asking, “Lord, what do You want me to do today?” This simple prayer opens your heart to His direction.

2.Meditate on Scripture

God often speaks through His Word. Spend time reading and reflecting on scriptures that guide your decision-making. For example, Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

3.Listen and Wait

Silence is powerful. Create moments of stillness where you can listen for God’s guidance. Psalm 46:10 (NIV) reminds us to “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Ask yourself these questions:

When was the last time I asked God what He wanted me to do?
Are there areas in my life where I am holding on to control instead of surrendering to God’s will?
How can I create more space in my life to hear God’s voice?

Bible Reading : Genesis 16 -18

Lord, What Do You Want Me to Do?

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