Dangerous Prayers: Because Following Jesus Was Never Meant to Be Safe

by Craig Groeschel

The gospel is an invitation to come and die.

“Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”

There was something so moving to me about JFK’s challenge, an invitation to be part of something bigger than myself, a plea to do more than to consume, but to contribute.

God never calls perfect people. God calls imperfect, flawed, weak men and women just like you and me.

Not only did God call people who did really bad things, but he also called unusual, insecure, and inconsistent people.

God hasn’t changed. The same God who called imperfect people still does.

In the Old Testament, we see at least three different responses. The prophet Jonah represents one of the most common responses: “Here I am, Lord, but I’m not going.”

Just to say that we’re “sinners” offends so many people today.

When we see how good God is, we become acutely aware of how good we are not. His holiness reveals our sinfulness.

Isaiah didn’t just say, “I messed up. I did a few bad things.” He cried from a heart of despair, “Woe to me!” The awareness of the depths of his sin brought sadness, remorse, grief, and a spirit of sincere repentance.

Even if you didn’t fall facedown, giving your life to Jesus begins with an awareness of your need for salvation from sin.

But when I started praying dangerously—crying out to God and getting to know who he was—my self-confidence grew into self-awareness. God is righteous. I’m unrighteous. God is full of glory. I’m full of myself. I had to face the brutal truth about my sinfulness. I was selfish.

We will see our sinfulness in full only when we embrace God’s holiness.

As long as we compare ourselves with other people, we can deceive ourselves that we are not that bad. But when we compare ourselves to God, we see just how unrighteous we truly are.

As hard as it is to admit, in so many ways, I was “playing a part” more than I was “living a calling.”

I’d become a “full-time pastor” and a “part-time follower of Christ.” I was showing an outward life that wasn’t a true reflection of inward devotion.

Imagine the power of the moment. Isaiah has never been more aware of his guilt, his sin, his shame. And with one touch from God’s being, his sin was gone.

The moment we see God for who he is, we see ourselves for what we are not.

Paul calls it a battle between your flesh and your spirit. By flesh, he’s not talking about your skin. Paul is referring to our sinful nature.

How do we live submitted to God when our flesh wants us living for ourselves? How do we overcome our selfish tendencies and live selflessly for Christ? The answer lies in daily submission.

Daily we should feed our spirits. Because what we feed grows.

If you fertilize your houseplants and water them, they will grow. If you feed your cat too much, your cat will be fat. If you feed your ego, ...

The simple acts of love often lead to the biggest changes in life.

Instead of existing passively, start living aggressively, watching for opportunities to exhibit faith.

Your faith acts don’t have to be big, intimidating, or newsworthy. They can be simple, unassuming, and even performed in secret.

Take the focus off yourself and notice the needs of others.

It shouldn’t be surprising to me, but when I don’t take time to pray this prayer, my days are not as productive. I’m often more distracted, more self-focused, more easily tempted. But when I do pray this prayer, my heart stays directed toward what matters to God.

Because of God’s goodness, God’s grace, and God’s love, Isaiah’s response was bold. Send me. Anywhere. Anytime. I will sign my name to a blank contract of availability.

The content of our prayers tells us more about us and our relationship with God than most people might imagine.

What we pray for reflects what we believe about God.

If most of our prayers are for “ourselves” or “what matters to us,” then the content of our prayers communicates that we believe, deep d...

I had access to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. The Great I am. The Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End. The all-powerful, ever-present, all-knowing God who can send fire from heaven, shut the mouths of hungry lions, or calm a raging storm. And all I asked him to do was keep me safe and help me have a good day.

Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the waters of life; having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity,

Instead of being obsessed with comfort, you will live for a calling.