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

by Craig Groeschel

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

What if instead of asking God to just do something for us, we prayed a dangerous, self-denying prayer of availability to our heavenly Father? What if instead of always asking God to do something on our behalf, we dared to ask God to use us on his behalf? What if we had the courageous faith to surrender our whole future—beginning right now—to God? Telling God we are all his.

The same God who

called imperfect people still does.

This type of dangerous prayer of

submission is not easy to pray, especially if

you don’t have a deep trust a...

for...

But when you do get to know God, his character, his nature, his holiness, you become more willing to offer this prayer. In fact, when you experience God for who he really is, you wi...

If you’re going to ask God to use you, then a genuine encounter with him goes a long way in trusting him.

Not only is God with you in your pain, but he’s always been there.

If you ever caught a true vision of God in his purest essence, I promise you would never refer to him like a pal from down the road.

God is not playing hide and seek. He wants you to know him and delights in showing himself to you.

before we can encounter God, it often helps

deal with the sin in our lives.

To truly get to a point of submission and availability to God, and to be fully aware of his presence, we are wise to recog...

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

As long as we compare

ourselves with other people, we can deceive

ourselves that we are not that bad. But when we compare ourselves...

how unrighteous we t...

When you pray dangerous prayers, you will see and understand more of God. It changes everything.

There is nothing better to fuel your prayer life than a deep appreciation for God’s grace.

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.

When you are surrendered to him, you will have eyes to see where he’s working. A heart to feel what touches his heart. And hands to show his love.

This is another prayer of daily submission to God. Search me. Break me. Send me.

Why are these daily prayers? Because when you submit your life to Christ, your spirit comes to life. You are born anew, and your spirit is connected to God’s Spirit. From that moment on, there is a war going on within you.

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...

in daily subm...

What you feed grows. What you starve dies.

The apostle Paul declared boldly, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). That’s all

When you start to avoid what hurts you, what happens? Over time, your spiritual side grows stronger. And your selfish side starts to die.

When God uses you, you will want more. More fulfillment. More joy you find in sacrifices. More blessings that come from obedience. You can live in the daily thrill of being used by God. A reflection of his grace and glory. A conduit of his love and goodness. But only if you’re willing.

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. Listen with your heart and not just your ears. Read between the lines and look for a way to serve.

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.

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.

The content of our prayers tells us more

about us and our relationship with God than

most people might...

What w...

for reflects what we believe...

It’s time to pray with courage, to risk, to open yourself up to a different path to a better destination.

Instead of being obsessed with comfort,

you will live for a calling. God will stretch

you out of your comfort zone ...