At first glance that prayer might sound crazy. People don't want mess; they especially don't want somebody else's mess so why would we expect the Almighty Creator of the Universe to accept our mess? Because He wants it - that's why. That's how much God loves us - He not only will accept our mess, He actually wants it. He wants to take away that mess so we won't be burdened and so He can transform it into something wonderful.

I heard one of my mentors share how he was afflicted with a very serious debilitating illness. He got in the habit of presenting his sickness and 'disability' to God as a gift each day. I was so impressed with that. It's impressive not just because he was determined not to let the enemy defeat him but because God embraces and desires that gift. God tells us plainly in scripture that He wants us to give Him our sorrow so He can turn it into joy. He wants us to trade in our heavy burdens for His light and easy yoke. He wants our ugliest messiest mess and He will give us beauty instead. You can't beat that deal.

So I've gotten into the habit of presenting whatever mess comes into my life as a gift to God. Instead of getting angry or resentful or feeling overwhelmed I present it to God as a gift, and it has made a wonderful difference in my life. God's Beloved I pray that whatever messes come into your life you won't hesitate to give them all to God. Lord here is my depression, my sickness, my brokenness, my drug abuse, my broken marriage/relationship, my failure, my procrastination, my weakness, my pain, my poverty, my doubt, my fears, my bad attitude, my mess... Here it is I give it to You as a gift, as an act of intimate worship, knowing that my mess keeps me close to You, that You love me and have a good plan for me, and even this mess can work for my good.