Does this word completely confuse you? What in the world can “calibrate” have to do with prayer?

For me, a little bit everything. This one word defines what occurs in my life during an intentional season of 21 days of prayer.

CALIBRATE

“to standardize by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors”

Calibration is a process of adjustment and alignment. You must determine how far something is from the standard then do something to correct it.

Scales are calibrated to correctly measure weight. Thermometers are calibrated to accurately measure temperature. Printers are calibrated to properly disperse ink onto paper. Rifle scopes are calibrated to accurately hit where you aim. A compass is calibrated to ensure it is pointing to true north.

For these devices to function properly, they must be calibrated. They must be realigned with the standard. They must adjust to the truth. The instrument must be changed to measure a true value. The standard does not change to adjust to the instrument.

Calibration can be a matter of life and death. Small airplanes rely on altimeters to measure altitude by determining barometric pressure. If the pilot does not calibrate the altimeter before take-off, he will receive false readings of altitude while in the air. A false reading can lead to a crash.

My life is no different. In order to function how God desires for me, I must also calibrate myself. I must realign to God’s standard. I must adjust to the Truth. I must allow myself to go through a process of being changed.

In the course of everyday life, it is easy to get off course.

Usually, I do not notice the change. That is why I need these 21 days. This intentional season reveals where my life deviates from the Standard. It is an opportunity to rebuild habits that keep me functioning according to the Truth.

Is your life straying off course?

Realign your actions.

“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 (NASB) Ouch! Is there something you’re not doing, but you know you really should? Obedience really is a good thing.

I know that I really should “seek first God’s kingdom”, but I tend to let myself sleep in and seek Him later in the day. Over the past 18 days, however, my actions are being calibrated. I am realigning with obedience. My habits are being reset for the coming days and weeks. My actions are changed.

Realign your mind.

“But be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (NASB) If you realize you are off course from God’s standard, transformation comes from renewing your mind. Are there thoughts in your mind that need to realign with God’s Truth?

My time of prayer is always intertwined with Scripture, because I am the one who needs transformation. The Bible is how God tells me His standard for my life. My thoughts are changed.

Realign your heart.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8 (NASB) Our hearts are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), so we cannot trust them. Only God understands our hearts, so we must get close to Him if our hearts are going to change. We will not realize how off course we are unless we draw near enough to God to see His Truth.

The best part of the past few weeks is that I am closer to God’s heart now than I was before. Condemnation, shame, despair, and anxiety are not my standard of Truth. They are lies from my enemy. As I draw near to God in prayer, I receive love, grace, mercy, forgiveness. My heart is changed.

Prayer is about me being changed. Prayer is about calibrating my life to align with God Himself.

What needs to be calibrated in your life?

Today’s Challenge:

Ask God what He wants to adjust in your life.

Do your actions, mind, or heart need some calibration?

Ask God to reveal what needs to change in your life. Then allow Him to work in you.

It’s all about drawing near to Him.