Inside: We’re all works in progress. But if we want to have a sweet influence in a troubled world, here’s one way to start. ~

I started blogging in the fall of 2014. The following January, I chose a word of the year for the first time.

The word was fruit, and it came with a clear assignment—to pray for the fruit of the Spirit to grow in my life and in the lives of my immediate family members every day.

A Decade’s Worth of Prayer

Subsequent years brought new words (satisfied, fierce, bold, humble, full, strength, dawn, remember, now and notice). Many of these have had a powerful impact on my life. Through it all, though, I never stopped praying for the fruit. Which means that, as of last January, I’ve been doing this regularly for 10 years.

My prayer has changed a bit over time. Past iterations of my request for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control were perhaps a bit more eloquent than the words I tap out in my morning prayers now.

I’ve also added humility to the conversation in recent years. Not because I think the original collection of fruit is lacking, but because it seemed like a convenient place to insert a petition for this much-needed trait.

Any Difference?

The obvious question to ask about this practice is this: Has it made a difference?

In my own life, I would say yes, though the fact that I haven’t stopped praying for the fruit is a good indication that this is a lifelong process. I may look back and see a bit of growth, then I’m presented with a situation that shows me I still have much room for improvement.

Such was the case this year with patience. Before my accident last March, I would have said I was a pretty patient person. But my ongoing recovery process has provided ample opportunities to see that waiting is hard for me and I’m often lacking in endurance.

Works in Progress

The good news—for me and for you too—is that we are all works in progress. As Eugene Peterson noted in the title of his wonderful book, life is indeed “a long obedience in the same direction.”

We don’t have to grow weary in doing good. Instead, we can trust that God who began a good work in us will continue it until it is completed (Gal. 6:9, Phil. 1:6).

I don’t make it a habit of dispensing devotional advice. But if I had one suggestion for busy moms, young adults, empty nesters, retirees and everyone in between, it would be this. Starting today, pray regularly for each element of the fruit of the Spirit to grow in your life.

Spiritual Exercise

It might seem rote, but think of it as spiritual exercise. If you walk, run or do the same workout at the gym every day, you don’t criticize yourself for what you are doing to get stronger, do you? It’s the same with praying for the fruit.

The changes may be a long time coming, and they might be subtle. But when you notice one, it might be like the difference between a tomato you buy in the winter at the grocery store and one your neighbor grows in her garden and shares with you.

The winter tomato pales in comparison to the home-grown fruit. And the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control God will produce in your heart as a result of your prayers will be far deeper and richer than what was there before.

• • •

I’ve written about praying for the fruit of the Spirit in other blog posts over the years. If you’d like to read more, here they are:

• One Word 2015: Results or Not, Prayers Continue

• The Prayer that is Changing Me

• 2 Simple Habits that Make All the Difference

• One Way to Bring Peace to Our Troubled World

• • •

In Case You Missed It:

I’m starting a subscriber-only email newsletter that will replace my third blog post each month. I’m sincerely grateful for each of you who have subscribed.

If you haven’t gotten around to it yet, I would love for you to sign up. As my way of saying thanks, you will receive a seven-day devotional called Faith, Fear, and the God Who Goes Before Us once you subscribe.

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I’ll send out the first edition of Courage, Dear Heart in October.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.