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

by Craig Groeschel

Just to say that we’re “sinners” offends so many people today. In our culture, there are self-help gurus and motivational experts who tell us to reject the idea that we’re sinful. We should just love ourselves the way we are. No need to change unless we want to change—and then we can do it ourselves.

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. Forgotten. Forgiven. First, unconditional grace. Then, uncontainable gratitude.

Grace. Changes. Everything. We don’t bring anything. Jesus brings everything.

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

your life is not your own. You belong to God. You are his servant. His ambassador. His representative on earth. Your prayers will start to grow from self-focused requests—“Do this for me, God. Help me, Lord”—into Christ-centered, gospel-powered, God-glorifying prayers. “Anywhere, God. Anytime. Whatever you want, I’m yours.”

starve your sinful self. Rather than getting what you want, give up something you may want, for something you want even more—a God-glorifying life.

God may prompt you to go to another part of the world to serve someone. Or to give an extravagant gift to someone in need. Even though it may seem crazy, irrational, and like it makes no sense at all, you will have the faith to say yes. Because you understand, your life is his.

Heavenly Father, because you gave Jesus for me, I give my whole day to you today. Every part of me is yours. Take each part of the body you created and consecrate it for your purposes today. God, I give you my mind. Please guard my thoughts. Help me take captive any thought that is not from you to make it obedient to Christ and all your truth. Renew my mind. May all my thoughts be pleasing to you. Help me to think on things that are pure, excellent, and worthy of praise. Help me to think your thoughts. Direct my mind toward your perfect will today.

Lord, I give you my eyes. Help me to look on things that are pure and honoring to you. Protect my eyes from lusting after the temporary pleasures of this world. Give me eyes to see what you see. Since my eyes are the lamp of my body, help me see things that let your light shine through my life today.

Give me ears to hear your voice so I may follow where you lead.

Lord, help me guard my heart, as I know it can easily deceive me. Purify my motives in all that I do. May my only goal be to serve and please you.

You have given me everything I need to do everything you have called me to do. Help me to see needs and meet them. Show me those who are hurting that I could encourage them. Direct me to those without you so I could help them know your goodness and grace.

God, I devote every part of me to you and to your will today. Here I am, Lord. Send me.

“Pastor, that’s why I want you to know my answer to you is always yes. Because of how Jesus changed my life through our church, I will always be available to him—and to you. If you ask me to mow the church yard, I will be honored to do it. If you need money to help a single mom, I will give without hesitation. If you need someone to drive a widow to church, I’m your driver. Pastor, I want you to know that my answer is yes. So just let me know the question.”

God, my answer is yes. Now what’s the question?”

Here I am, Lord. Send me. Use me.