Imagine if God were to ask you, “What do you want?” What would your response be? As we stand between our past and the potential of a new life in Christ, it’s essential to examine our hearts and discover our deepest desires. In this devotional, we’ll explore the significance of this question and how it can lead to healing, restoration, and transformation.

I think the questions matters as Jesus has ask it before: “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’ ” — Mark 10:51 (NIV)

God’s question goes beyond our surface wants and uncovers the true desires of our hearts. It invites us to dig deep and reveal what we long for, whether it’s healing, restoration, or spiritual growth.

Do you have unmet needs, wounds, or brokenness within you? Are there areas in your life that require God’s healing touch? If the answer is yes, maybe you would answer Jesus questions to say you wanted his healing touch.

Prayer is not necessarily the time to get out our wish list to go over with God, but I do think he wants us to share our deepest wants and needs with Him. Spend time in prayer, seeking God’s guidance to identify and express your needs and desires honestly. If you never ask yourself what you want, how can you share your wants with God?

Maybe you would want healing from a broken heart and wounds from our past. God is the mighty healer of our wounds.”He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”* — Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

God is the ultimate healer and restorer. When we acknowledge our needs and desires, we open the door for His transformative work in our lives so in your next prayer time surrender your brokenness to God and trust in His ability to bring healing and restoration to your life.

Maybe you would want to change your life, your marriage, your job, your family, your church or just become a better person.

*”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”* — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

God’s transformative power is unleashed when we boldly express our desires and seek His will. Our faith, coupled with His grace, can bring about remarkable change. So today in your prayer time ask him to use His power and to transform you.

Embrace the potential for transformation by aligning your desires with God’s purposes. Seek His guidance in pursuing a new and fulfilling life in Christ. Does what you want align with what God would want for you? Have you checked your want list against the Bible, run it past a spiritual mentor and/or talked to your pastor about what your heart truly desires?

In the Netflix series “Lucifer,” the devil descends to Earth and forms an unlikely partnership with a local female detective. One intriguing aspect of his crime-solving strategy involves asking the suspects and wrongdoers a pivotal question: “What is your deepest desire?” When confronted with this question, they enter a trance-like state and are compelled to respond truthfully. The answers typically revolve around desires for wealth, vengeance, deception, or personal gain. In response, the devil often wears a wry smile, acknowledging their true motivations by saying, “Of course, that’s what you truly desire.”

God doesn’t put us in a trance or force us to reveal our desires, as He already knows them. However, it’s an interesting thought experiment to consider what our desires would be if God were to directly ask us. It could reveal a lot about our hearts, values, and priorities.

If asked, “What do you desire?” our answers may vary widely. Some may express desires that align with God’s will, such as seeking wisdom, guidance, and the well-being of others. Others might mention desires that may not necessarily please God, like selfish ambitions, material possessions, or worldly success.

Reflecting on our desires in this context can be a valuable exercise for self-examination and spiritual growth. It can help us recognize areas where our desires may need alignment with God’s purposes and values, leading us to seek a deeper connection with Him and a transformation of our hearts. Ultimately, our desire should be to draw closer to God, seeking His will above all else.

God’s question, “What do you want?” is an invitation to seek His heart, to acknowledge our needs, and to embrace the transformative power of His grace. It is not an invitation to rub a Geni lamp where God will grant us 3 wishes. As we open ourselves to His healing and restoration, we become vessels of His love and agents of change in the world. So, what do you want? Take time to reflect, pray, and discover the desires that God longs to fulfill in your life.