How many times have you asked God to use you in prayer?
Real talk: How many times have you asked God to use you—really use you—only to run the other way when He actually calls you into service?
Are your motives Spirit-led… or self-driven?
Let’s unpack that.
Definition Check:
Use (verb) – To take, hold, or deploy (something) to accomplish a purpose or achieve a result; to employ.
I posted this question on Facebook over twelve years ago, and honestly, it wasn’t just for my timeline—it was for me too. When I first relocated to Houston, I had to check my own heart on many levels:
- Learning how to live a balanced, 24/7 life with my husband after nine months of long-distance marriage
- Navigating where we’d worship as a new family in a new city
See, back home, I was a Genesis member of my local church, deeply rooted in ministry leadership, and even employed there for a time. So,, the idea of attending a new church? Hard pass.
But God had other plans.
When God Shifts the Soil
In Houston, we discovered a satellite affiliate of my home church, led by a loving couple. The only challenge? It’s a bit of a drive, and I was not currently driving. So we found ourselves splitting time between that location and a church plant affiliated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes—pastored by one of my husband’s co-workers.
At this new church, my husband was growing spiritually and being stretched in service. He told me it reminded him of his home church in Albany, where he was baptized. Watching him thrive and hearing the Word preached with power—and experiencing unfiltered, abandoned worship—began to soften my heart.
God was trying to get my attention.
Letting Go of My Will
In that quiet space, He whispered what He had been saying all along:
“Let go. Fully. Let Me use you—right where I’ve planted you.”
It was never about my comfort or preferences. It was about His purpose. I repented for my stubbornness. For wanting to serve only in my way, in my place, on my terms.
And as always, His grace met me there.
A Call to Serve (Even When You’re Not Ready)
The very next weekend, I was asked to lead worship. If you know me, you know music ministry has always been my heart. Ministering that day was like being washed in His love.
Still, I had mixed emotions the following week. I knew my soul was stirring again. I could feel the weight and beauty of the call returning.
Then came the moment: My husband came home and told me the pastor wanted to connect—and had given him my number.
Whew. I won’t lie—I wanted to punch him (lovingly!) for a second. Why? Because I was dodging God’s call. I still wanted to serve where I wanted to serve.
But in my private time, God was patient. Firm. Reassuring. Through His Word, He kept telling me,
“Trust Me.”
When I Finally Said Yes
When the pastor finally called, he confirmed everything God had already been whispering:
That he saw the maturity in my worship—that it wasn’t about solos or performance, but about truly ushering in God’s presence. He also affirmed that while I may only be here for a season, he felt led to invite me to minister when I was in attendance.
I agreed. And with that yes, came a deeper sense of responsibility. I knew I had to stay ready—spiritually, mentally, and emotionally—for whenever God might call again.
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.”
– Mark 13:32 (NLT)
Scripture Takeaways (NLT)
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
- Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?’ I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’”
- 1 Peter 4:10 – “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
Final Thoughts
Sometimes God’s answer to your prayer to be used doesn’t look like you imagined. But that doesn’t mean it’s not divine.
If you’ve ever prayed for God to use you, be ready when He answers. Be obedient—even when it’s inconvenient. He knows the plans He has for you… and they’re better than your own.
Have you been running from the very thing you prayed for?
It might be time to surrender… again.
If this message blessed you, feel free to leave a comment or share it with someone who needs the reminder.
© 2025, Lela Fagan. All rights reserved.
