We think of prayer as a safe place. Am I right? I know I am. It’s tranquil, peaceful, reflective. Prayer makes us feel like we are actively doing something when the world give us situations that are straight up out of control. And we are. Prayer makes a difference. I’ve never been more serious about anything than I am about prayer. It’s so legit.
Think about it. Prayer allows us to speak our thoughts and concerns, joys and praises to the One who created everything we’ve ever known. Or will ever know in our lifetime or eternity. Pretty crazy thought. He created the universe…which we have yet to find an end to…yet He allows us to speak to Him. There are mortals who have accomplished much less that wouldn’t let me chat their ear off about my anxious heart. It just blows my mind.
But if you read the title of today’s post you may be wondering what I mean by “dangerous prayers.” Isn’t prayer a safe haven? When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and in contact with our Savior what can be dangerous? Please let me elaborate. The danger of prayer is that it is, without a doubt, real. God hears the prayers of His followers and He answers.
And that my lovelies is the danger. He. Will. Answer. Dangerous prayer are the prayers that change your life. They require you to do something, to commit, to be active, to work.
When we go to God in earnest, sincerely seeking Him, seeking His will, He is more than willing to answer us loud and clear. Not to say that the answer will always come in bolts of lightning and messages in the stars…but when we seek Him out {without clouding our hearts with our own agendas} we will get answers.
Which leads me to dangerous prayers. Are you really ready to hear what the Almighty has to say? There are many dangerous prayers we can pray. Maybe someday I’ll write about them again. However, for tonight, I’ll focus on one. Maybe the most dangerous prayer of all:
God, I’m here. I want to do your work. Can you use me? How can I use my life to bring you the most glory possible?
A prayer like this is only dangerous if you mean it. If you really are willing. If you really are ready.
The danger is the answer. Are you ready to accept the answer? The answer could be anything. Literally anything. God has used His people in some wild ways. They’ve gone far from home. They’ve died. They’ve run in to trouble. They have lived in poverty. They have sacrificed comfort.
Again, I tell you prayer is real. And God knows when you are serious. A dangerous prayer like that could change your life. It will change your life.
About two years ago I discovered the meaning of life in its most simplistic form. Although I’ve been a follower of Christ for more than 10 years it wasn’t until then that I really got it. The meaning of life is this: using our existence to glorify God. Giving our lives fully to Him to accomplish His purposes. Simple as that. Difficult as that. For us humans this is a difficult way to live. Accepting that our lives are not created for our own happiness is confusing. It is so tempting to be comfortable and make a beautiful life here for 9o years or so.
But I’ve got a secret…our souls are created to be never ending. When our 90 years is up we’ve still got an eternity to live through…in comparison our time on Earth–in these bodies, with these things around us –will seem like the blink of the eye.
Dangerous prayers are scary. We have no idea what will come of them. But they are vital. When we pray a dangerous prayer we accept the meaning of life, the meaning of our existence. We accept that we owe our lives to the one who gave His to save us. It’s scary, but oh-so-worth it.
God rejoices in these prayers and answers them in profound ways. He loves a child who is brave enough to earnestly pray a dangerous prayer. He loves a follower who is courageous enough to be used. He adores a follower humble enough to say, “I could never have done this. This is God’s work.” When we ask God how He can use us…He will take matters into His hands and use us to accomplish works that could never be done on our own.
That way when people see our work they will be forced to recognize that God is true, He is glorious. Others will understand that the LORD we follow is the one true God. And that’s just how He likes it.
Six months ago I prayed a dangerous prayer. God answered. He answered in a way that I never saw coming. He had something in mind. A way that my tiny life in Practically Canada could bring Him glory. The answer was scary. It took me nearly half a year to come to terms with it. But I’ve never felt better. Braver. More certain. More protected. More in love with my God, my Savior.
This is my challenge. Quiet your agenda. Set aside the hope you have for yourself. And embrace the honor of serving the God of heaven and earth. Pray boldly. Pray dangerously.
Your soul will never be safer.
Amy
PS…more on my dangerous prayer next week. And thanks to all of you who know my prayer and have been supporting me in this new adventure. I love you deeply my family in Christ.
