So true, Richard.
This is the way I've prayed for some time, especially in regards to the "greater sins" that I commit. (At least to me, they are) One thing I've noticed also, at least in my experience, is that GOD also teaches persistence. There are things that I've struggled with for a while, and though I pray and pray and pray for Him to "take them away" and to "take away the desires", He still has not.
I believe this is another form of His Chastising. It's destroying my pride (and there's a ton of it!
), keeps me very humble, and eventually will greatly increase my patience. (something I need much more of)
At times it gets tormenting, the more I pray for GOD to make me better, the more I get worse.
But I'm not ACTUALLY getting worse, I just notice more and more things in me that are wrong, that yesterday, I didn't think were that bad. Though, I know in the end it will be so worth it, because seeing my sins, and feeling the pain that they cause, will mold me into the person that GOD has destined me to be.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present are not worthy to be compared with the GLORY which shall be revealed in US"
- Romans 8:18