Romans 8:29 says, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

In other words, God wants to make you more like Christ. His purpose is that you’d be transformed -- molded, conformed -- into the image of Jesus.

And that’s a lot of what the Holy Spirit’s doing in our lives. That’s the whole doctrine of sanctification, of being made holy.

When you pray, the Holy Spirit can sanctify you -- shape you, mold you -- in ways that he can’t if you’re not praying.

If you think of a carpenter who has to get his hands on wood in order to sand it or shape it -- to paint it, to varnish it -- think of prayer as how God gets his hands on you.

Right now, we’re talking about God, but if we were praying, we’d be talking to God. And it’s in that act of talking to God that the Holy Spirit is able to mold you and shape you and make you more like Jesus.

In your time as a Christian, how have you become more like Christ?

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This content is adapted from “What does the Bible say about the power of prayer?”

For more on prayer, request The Greater Work: How Prayer Positions You to Receive All that Grace Intends to Give by Dr. Jim Denison.