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Praying God's Way
Praying God's Way

Dangerous Prayers

I’m involved in a Weekly Small Men’s Bible Study group that meets on Tuesday mornings at 7:00AM!! (I must be serious about this spiritual growth thing, if I’m willing to meet a group of six to eight guys every week at this hour in the morning)!!  For the last six or eight weeks we’ve been working our way through Craig Groeschel’s book, “Dangerous Prayers.”  The premise of the book is to challenge us to move away from prayers such as:

“God is great, God is good, let us thank him for our food”

Or

“Good food, Good meat, Good God, Let's eat. Amen.”

Or

“Dear Lord, bless this bunch
As we munch on our lunch.
Amen.”

I think you get the idea. Craig, through his writing, has reminded us to become believers or people of action that learn and know what it means or may mean to pray dangerous prayers.

We know scripture reminds us of what it means to be praying people:

“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6)

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” (1 Chronicles 16:11).

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  (2 Chronicles 7:14)

And for those of us who have been praying that the rapture would happen before election day, let me remind you of this powerful prayer:

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:15)

Prayer isn’t just about asking God for things you need or desire. It’s about establishing a relationship with Him built on faith and trust in Him. God knows the desires of our hearts long before we even think to ask, but He still loves to hear from us—whether we’re asking for guidance or giving thanks—because it draws us closer to Him.

We have this awesome tool or resource at our disposal. We can pray anytime, anywhere, and about anything. Craig Groeschel reminds us to keep these thoughts in mind as you begin to implement prayer into your life - prayers that could become “dangerous prayers” in your life!

SEARCH ME:

Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalms 139:23-24

BREAK ME

We’ve all been guilty of praying for safety and blessings (You can go ahead and recite the prayer of Jabez here.). “But what if you want more? What if you desire power from the Holy Spirit, strength from heaven, unshakable faith, genuine intimacy with your Father? Instead of just asking God to keep you safe, give you more, and protect your life, you may have to ask God to break you.” (Groeschel, p. 66)

SEND ME

“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

“Rather than asking God to serve us, what if we told God we are available to serve Him?” (Groeschel, p. 107).

As a result of being involved in the weekly men’s study group and reading “Dangerous Prayers,” I think my prayer life has taken on a totally different direction or purpose. It hasn’t been easy and comfortable to go from a mundane prayer life to a prayer life that reflects “what are you really praying for and needing God to do” and learning what it means to follow Jesus in ways and places that were never meant to be safe. So, my prayer has become, “Lord, help me be a man who knows what it means to pray dangerous prayers!”

SEARCH ME

BREAK ME

SEND ME

Works Cited:

Groeschel, Craig. Dangerous Prayers. Zondervan, 2020.

 

Dr. Jerry Storz, NBC Faculty, Director Leadership and Ethics, and Christian Education Ministries Program 

Published: 08/17/2020

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