For years, St. Augustine lived in sin. His mother, Monica, prayed for years, asking God to save her son. Augustine knew what he was doing was wrong, and sometimes prayed, “Make me pure, but not yet.” But at age 31, God worked powerfully in his heart, through reading Romans 13:13-14, “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (KJV). He felt convicted that he must not live in rebellion to God any longer. He wrote this prayer:

Henceforth Thee alone do I love, 
Thee alone I follow, 
Thee alone I seek, 
Thee alone am I prepared to serve, 
for Thou alone art rightly Lord, 
and of Thy lordship I desire to be. 
Direct, I pray, and command whatever Thou wilt, 
but heal and open my ears, that I may hear Thine utterances. 
Heal and open my eyes, that I may behold the signs of thy command. 
Drive delusion from me, that I may recognize Thee. 
O Lord, most merciful Father receive, I pray, Thy fugitive; 
Long enough, have I been punished, 
long enough have I served Thine enemies, whom Thou hast under Thy feet, 
long enough has error had its way with me. 
To Thee I feel I must return: I knock; may Thy door be opened to me; 
teach me the way to Thee.

Isn’t that beautiful? Let me ask: For whom are you praying? Whatever you do, don’t give up! Who knows when God will answer? Source: Family Bible Time Sheets)

Darrell Stetler II is a pastor in Oklahoma City, and a creator of discipleship tools for churches.