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

by Craig Groeschel

Jesus never asks us to do something he wouldn’t do himself. He calls us to a life of faith, not a life of comfort. Instead of coming to him for a safer, easier, stress-free lifestyle, the Son of God challenges us to risk loving others more than ourselves.

Praying from the heart is personal and unmistakable.

You don’t have to look far in the Psalms to see the honest cries from the heart of David. He questioned God. He complained to God. He petitioned God. From the depths of his soul, David cried out to his heavenly Father, asking, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?

If you call out to him, God assures you that he hears the cries of your heart.

Our ways are not God’s ways. That’s why we need Christ. Not just to forgive us, but to transform us. To redirect us. To make us new.

The most common lies are the ones we tell ourselves.

I realized the closer I got to Jesus, the more I’d have to face my shortcomings.

Instead of simply asking God to do something for you, ask God to reveal something in you.

What we fear the most often reveals where we trust God the least.

What about you? What are the areas that you’re clinging to even while allowing them to terrify you? What fears are you withholding from God?

What if my writing isn’t powerful enough? Isn’t convincing? Isn’t convicting? Doesn’t move your heart?

Our fears matter. Because ultimately, our fears show how we’re relying on our own efforts and not trusting in our Savior.

To please God, to serve him, to honor him, to live for him, you cannot be driven by fear. You must be led by faith.

Remind yourself that you love pleasing God more than you fear failing.

If you’re like me, you’re good at accusing others, and equally good at excusing yourself.

Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”

Lord, show me if there is any offensive way in me.

We need God’s help to see the sin that’s difficult to see in the mirror.

Would you ask God to show you if this is something he would have you change?

That place that I had been most sure that I was right was the place that I was most wrong.

I’ve consistently battled with putting the approval of people ahead of the approval of God.

Because your deepest need becomes a gift when it moves you to depend on Christ.

Step through your greatest fear and into faith. Embrace your deepest need and let it drive you to depend on Christ.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James

1:2–4).

If we pray only for protection from trials, then we rob ourselves of our future maturity.

A. W. Tozer, who said, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply.” I remember thinking then what I think now: I’m not sure I like that idea. Did I even believe it? Is that the price I’d have to pay for God to use me greatly? Isn’t there an easier way?

To be wholly useful to God, we have to be empty of self.

What are we losing

by clinging to our comfort?

We don’t realize what blessings might be on the other

side of God’s breaking.

How much do you make in a year? Now imagine, in one moment, with one single display of worship, giving that whole amount to Jesus. That is what this woman did. She broke the bottle and gave it all.

Jesus, here’s my life. It’s all yours. I’m holding nothing back.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13 NLT).

Who wants to be “broken” and “poured out”? That sounds painful at best, miserable at worst. But it’s in the giving of our lives that we find true joy.

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matt. 16:25).

God, do whatever it takes to free me from my love for this world. To crucify my love of comfort. God, break me.

When you are broken, you will know it. There will be no question. You will not have to ask.

It’s easy to impress people with our strengths, but real connections are forged through our shared weaknesses.

In our brokenness, we often experience God’s greatest blessings.

God uses those who are broken and dependent on him.

True brokenness before God isn’t a one-time

event; it’s a daily decision.

When things get difficult, many run from God. Don’t do that. Run to him.

I will never insult God with small thinking or safe living.

Rather than asking God to serve us, what if we told God we are available to serve him?

What if instead of always asking God to do something on our behalf, we dared to ask God to use us on his behalf?

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

Instead of living in the confidence of God’s calling, Moses was buried in his own insecurities.