A few years back I was challenged to pray more "dangerous prayers." Out of that spiritual discipline, grew a sermon of a couple of years ago. As I move into 2009, I am again seeking to pray some dangerous prayers. I think God loves to hear dangerous prayers—the kind of prayers that help us grow as Christians. If you've been keeping God at a safe distance in your prayer life, try praying one of the following “dangerous” prayers—and see how God in His wisdom will answer.
1. SEARCH ME (Psalm 139:23-24).
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV).
Do you want to know the truth about yourself? Jesus taught that the truth will set you free. Ask God to search you…to show you what He needs to do in life to grow and mature you. You’ll never know real holiness or usefulness for God and the kingdom until you embrace this prayer.
2. TEACH ME (Psalm 25:4).
“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths” (Psalm 25:4, NIV).
It is first an acknowledgement that you don’t know everything there is to know about God and how He does things. For most people who have been believers for over 10 years…that would be stepping into new territory. We get to a growth plateau somewhere around 10 years as a Christian where we have worked out our systems and understandings and we think we have God all figured out.
3. LEAD ME (Psalm 119:133).
“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me” (Psalm 119:133, NIV).
When you say, “God, here's my life. I'll follow your promptings; I'll listen for the tugs of your Spirit…I’m putting up my sail and asking that the winds of your Spirit blow my life where they will”—you'll be surprised what can happen.
4. BLESS ME (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV).
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV). Jesus gives us a New Testament equivalent, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, NIV).
God doesn’t bless you to be a reservoir. He blesses that you might be a conduit of His blessing to others. The gifts God gives are meant to be shared…not hoarded for ourselves.
5. USE ME (Matthew 26:39).
Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “…not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39, NIV). It’s the dangerous prayer of signing a blank check for your life and handing it over to God. This is a prayer of surrender. It says, “God…I am giving up all rights to my life.” It’s the prayer of the disciple who follows by taking up his cross daily and following unquestioningly.
1. SEARCH ME (Psalm 139:23-24).
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV).
Do you want to know the truth about yourself? Jesus taught that the truth will set you free. Ask God to search you…to show you what He needs to do in life to grow and mature you. You’ll never know real holiness or usefulness for God and the kingdom until you embrace this prayer.
2. TEACH ME (Psalm 25:4).
“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths” (Psalm 25:4, NIV).
It is first an acknowledgement that you don’t know everything there is to know about God and how He does things. For most people who have been believers for over 10 years…that would be stepping into new territory. We get to a growth plateau somewhere around 10 years as a Christian where we have worked out our systems and understandings and we think we have God all figured out.
3. LEAD ME (Psalm 119:133).
“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me” (Psalm 119:133, NIV).
When you say, “God, here's my life. I'll follow your promptings; I'll listen for the tugs of your Spirit…I’m putting up my sail and asking that the winds of your Spirit blow my life where they will”—you'll be surprised what can happen.
4. BLESS ME (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV).
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV). Jesus gives us a New Testament equivalent, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, NIV).
God doesn’t bless you to be a reservoir. He blesses that you might be a conduit of His blessing to others. The gifts God gives are meant to be shared…not hoarded for ourselves.
5. USE ME (Matthew 26:39).
Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “…not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39, NIV). It’s the dangerous prayer of signing a blank check for your life and handing it over to God. This is a prayer of surrender. It says, “God…I am giving up all rights to my life.” It’s the prayer of the disciple who follows by taking up his cross daily and following unquestioningly.
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