Power of a Dangerous Prayer

Jesus in Gethsemane

“When an answer I did not expect comes to a prayer which I believed I truly meant, I shrink back from it; if the burden my Lord asks me to bear, be not the burden of my heart's choice, and I fret inwardly and do not welcome His will, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”—Amy Carmichael, missionary.

As I meditated on what I’d share this week, God brought me back to a message He gave me a year and a half ago, “The Power of a Dangerous Prayer.” It was not only exactly what I needed to read again, but in light of the growing chaos in the world around us, I sensed this was a message God wanted me to share again. When everything else in life is in turmoil, peace exists inside the will of God.

Prayer has been called many things, but I doubt few consider it dangerous. How would you characterize something which has the potential to end your existence as you know it?

That doesn’t make sense, you might be thinking. Prayer is a solace place we enter to meet God. We bare our souls, share our heartaches, offer petitions, and intercede for others. Sounds like a neat, safe place to abide. And it is.

But suppose you yearn for an even deeper, richer relationship with God—to live fully in a manner you’ve not fathomed before. Are you willing to push your spiritual life outside of its comfort zone and into the danger zone to do so?

The five scariest words we could utter during prayer, many people don’t—or won’t. Praying these words mean death—death to self—an end to selfish desires and the beginning of God’s desires to define our lives.

Safety nets are stripped away—power is relinquished.

The five words?

Not my will, but Yours.

Now, let’s get real for a moment. I mean really real. Think of the most monumental problem you’re facing. You may even have a pretty good idea of how to solve it, if everything would just work out the way you imagine. Are you willing to turn loose of your solution?

Makes your heart skip a beat to consider giving the problem to God, then utter, “not my will, but Yours,”—and mean it!

Is the unknown scary? Sure. Has God’s will pushed me outside of my comfort zone at times? Most definitely. However, the blessings and spiritual growth I’ve experienced as a result of praying those five scary words are immense.

Though you’re not guaranteed instant gratification or easy solutions to your petitions, God’s will provides the perfect answer. Christ prayed the same words when he faced death on a cross (Luke 22:42). God’s answer didn’t spare Jesus’ life—instead it granted life to millions of others.

Let me add one caveat. Please don’t hear me say what I’m not. There’s nothing wrong with goals and desires. God gives us those desires (Ps. 37:4). He designed man to yearn for progress. The million dollar question is—Are you willing to give those desires back to God and say, not my will, but yours, and trust Him to bless you?

God’s answer often weaves a beautiful pattern which, in hindsight, you marvel over its brilliance. He doesn’t grant that beforehand—only after you’ve exercised faith by relinquishing control.

So, are you ready to pray dangerously by submitting to the Ultimate Power? I’d love to hear from you about how God has worked in your life when you’ve done so.

Praise report on Hunter, the 10-year-old we’ve been praying for who was bitten in the face by his own dog and received over 2000 stitches to reconstruct. From a family friend: He is home and doing well. He has his sense of humor back, and the scars are healing very nice. God has answered everyone’s prayers. The doctors are seriously baffled and amazed by his progress.

Praise God!

Prayer request for Lydia, a 2-year-old little girl with pre-B Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). She is undergoing chemotherapy. Her family would appreciate prayers.

If you have a prayer request, please share it in the comments or e-mail me confidential requests. Our permanent prayer list is located at the top of the blog. Would you take a moment to pray for the folks who leave comments, as well as those already on the list? Thanks!

Shalom,

Laura ✞

©Laura Hodges Poole