Ever prayed a dangerous prayer?

B

BrokenOne Jun 9, 2007

2 weeks ago I was listening to a Paul Washer sermon in which he describes a time when he was going through many difficulties and was crying out to God and asking why all these things were happening. The Lord reminded him of times when he was in seminary when he and some other students would spent nights in prayer and their prayer would be – “conform me to the image of Christ, no matter what the cost”. Hearing those words almost took my breath away. I couldn’t get them out of my mind and every time I thought of them I felt a big “YES” inside (if that makes sense). I knew that the Lord was leading me to pray that prayer for myself. For several days I pondered it, afraid of what it might mean to ask for that. But the longing for Christlikeness in my life has become greater than the fear of the path that leads to it.

What was your dangerous prayer and how was it answered?

sermonindex Jun 9, 2007

would spent nights in prayer and their prayer would be – “conform me to the image of Christ, no matter what the cost”.

Oh that we would pray this with force, intention and conviction. That God may do it in our lifes. The stripping away of anything that hinders us from eternity and God is good. May we be open to the refining fires of eternity in this mortal plane here.

sermonindex Jun 9, 2007

BrokenOne asked

Ever prayed a dangerous prayer?

For sure.

What was your dangerous prayer and how was it answered?

You know what? I have no idea. I just know there came a point when it didn't matter how dangerous it was, just like you said, the cost 'greater than the fear of the path that leads to it.' Amen.

Eventually, one begins to recognise the symptoms of the need for another launching out into the deep, and instead of pondering it - because one knows one has counted the cost many times and always ended up with the 'YES' answer - one just goes straight for the jugular, even knowing there will be tests which one may ~~[i]~~fail[/i] while one is being conformed.

The thing which really strikes me in retrospect, is that 'the path' is uniquely personal, even though others may recognise where one is on it.

The Lord has a way of working with our decisions, talents, aspirations and complete lack of ability in certain areas, to bring us through to a much more deeply trusting relationship with Him.

This means we become much more dependent on Him, ~~[i]~~not[/i] less. It's good!

I

IRONMAN Jun 9, 2007

bro Brokenone
Greetings saints in Jesus Name to whose Image we are being conformed to by the Father.AMEN.

That very prayer which Paul Washer prayed is the most dangerous prayer i have prayed because it calls for the Supreme Purpose of God to be fulfilled in our lives. What more mighty display of God's manifold wisdom can there be than making sinners into the Image of Christ? By His Grace i desire this one thing only and the cost has been great but even in the depths of despair, my prayer remains Lord make me just like Jesus at whatever cost. AMEN.

well the cost is everything, total death i pray His Grace every day that we be able to pay daily.

Grace and Peace to you all in Jesus Name. AMEN.

sermonindex Jun 9, 2007

Rom 8:28,29 And we know that ALL things work together for GOOD ~~[u]~~to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. ~~[b]~~For[/b] whom He did 'foreknow', He also did 'predestinate' to be conformed to the image of His Son[/u], that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

{LITV} Rom 8:28, 29 But we know that to the ones 'loving' God all things work together for good, to those 'being called' according to purpose; ~~[u]~~because[/u] whom He 'foreknew', He also ~~[u]~~'predestinated' to be conformed to the image of His Son[/u], for Him to be the First-born among many brothers.

Seems no danger at all, if ALL things were predestined to that Purpose before Creation.

We can slow the process, but he promises us the blessing of chastisement if that goes too far ... but if we are "loving God" and are being called according to His Purpose ... the above verses, just for one, show that it is God's intention to bring us into His Image, whether you've prayed it or not. We don't want to take the Glory with this prayer, when He's already spoken it.
Notice how in the grammar it says, "loving" God ... that present-active-participle means it's continuous, on-going and used more than we are aware of in most translations of the Bible.

Even in John 3:16 - "......that whosoever is "believing"...", is how it should read. Continuous believing .... as in "abiding" in the faith.

Same with John 10 - the correct translation is "My sheep are continuously hearing MY voice and continually following"

Romans 8:28,29 goes along with ... Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ

He tends to hold His work back when we take the Glory for our growth ... He wants us to "hunger and thirst" and "be hearing and following" yet always being mindful, that it is HE Who even puts that "desire" or "hunger and thirsting" in us anyways.

That no man may boast.

God's plan is only "dangerous" to the flesh, but these verses above show it's a wonderful thing to lose, because All things are working for 'that' Good and only for 'that' Good.

Praise Him.

H

heartablaze Jun 9, 2007

I prayed for a true Christian female friend who would push me and I could push her (as Prov. 27:17). That does not seem like a dangerous prayer, does it? Well, when God answered that prayer, He truly answered it. I have been extremely challenged in most areas of my life, things I had not dealt with before, and things I thought were sound, but were not. For the first time in a long time, I've had to really try in my spiritual walk, to test things. The rewards of two sisters in the Lord are great, though. Much growth has happened in both of our lives, to the transforming into Christ's image.
Praise the Lord!!!

B

BrokenOne Jun 9, 2007

GrannieAnnie wrote:
We can slow the process, but he promises us the blessing of chastisement if that goes too far ... but if we are "loving God" and are being called according to His Purpose ... the above verses, just for one, show that it is God's intention to bring us into His Image, whether you've prayed it or not. We don't want to take the Glory with this prayer, when He's already spoken it.
I pray that the last thing I would ever do is take the glory that belongs to Him....but if that is how my post came across to anyone who read it, please know that this was not my intention. To me, this prayer was a prayer of surrender. Forgive me if I stated it in a way that gave any other impression.

A

ADisciple Jun 10, 2007

BrokenOne wrote:
I pray that the last thing I would ever do is take the glory that belongs to Him....

A dangerous prayer right there, BrokenOne.

...And I'd like to assure you I didn't pick up so much as a hint in your first post of you trying to take the glory to yourself in what you prayed. In fact I found my own heart "burning within" as I read your post.

And I understand what you mean by "dangerous." God is pleased to share with us, at times, such a beautiful Word. Oh, we want so much to be part of that! Of course we know He's sovereign, and will do as He pleases, but at the same time the Sovereign God greatly desires and loves and seeks out the fellowship of those who are responding to Him (and to what He has shown us) with a heart cry that is "dangerous" to their own lives in this world.

As to my own "most dangerous prayer," I've prayed it with many different words throughout the years, and in many ways, the Spirit of the Lord helping. But it's the same prayer. Sometimes only with a sigh, or groanings that cannot be uttered.

But it's... Jesus, Son of God, You loved the Father so much, loved Him with such a fervent love... You offered up Yourself to the Father on the altar of burnt offering in every step You took through life, and then ultimately in Your death on the Cross. And it was, all of it, such a fragrance of delight to Him... it caused His heart to burst with joy, He was so pleased. And I want my life, and my offering up, to be one with Yours. To hear those same words, sense that same smile of approval, Father, in my own heart: "This is a son of mine in whom I am utterly delighted!" Help me, Lord, to make this my one pursuit. Whatever it takes!

And... (Can I put two most dangerous prayers? Though they're one and the same.) ...Jesus, I don't want to pursue ministry, Jesus, but YOU. Your CHARACTER, Lord. Which is the end of all ministry, and will do more than all ministry. I just want to walk in You so it's Your own life and humility dwelling in me, Lord. Cause me to secretly rejoice when another is honoured, instead of to secretly envy... cause me to see the ugliness of all that, because You've washed my eyes, and now I see the beauty of the Lord, the beauty of Your own humility and heart. To be One with You, Son of God! To be so One with You that it's YOU actually DWELLING in me, Lord, YOUR love, YOUR righteousness, YOUR patience, YOUR humility... Your CHARACTER, Your very PRESENCE, that those around me might see, hear, touch GOD when they touch my life... and be conscious of YOU, not ME... in a way that CHANGES them, and ministers CHRIST to the needs of their hearts.

...Oh, Jesus, I feel so far from this! Do it, Lord, in me, and in BrokenOne, and in all those you've marked out for this, marked out for Your glory, whatever the cost! The cost of You NOT doing it is far far greater, not only for ourselves but for others! We can't even consider that, Lord. Do it for Your own Name's sake! That Your Name might shine again in the earth!

...And SHOW us the cost, dear Lord, reveal it to each one of us, that One Thing that's so precious and dear to us and so hard to let go of, and grant us the grace and the courage-- and the love-- to offer it up upon Your altar of burnt offering, not with reluctance, but with JOY! Amen.

AD

S

Spitfire Jun 10, 2007

I prayed that God would tear down every idol in my heart and establish himself as Lord of All. That process has proven quite painful.

I prayed that God would let me see as he sees and feel what he feels. This has proven the most painful of all.

I prayed that God would tear down every false religious idea and give me eyes to see and ears to hear the Truth that would set me free. He took me to a dark and lonely place where I've been for 3 years. It's very scary, but I trust that he is delivering me from religious hogwash, because if God doesn't save me, I'm doomed and the path behind me has disappeared. Love, Dian.

sermonindex Jun 10, 2007

Jim Elliot prayed a dangerous prayer, but even then, the Lord had laid that desire upon his heart, but He does look for us to except whether we'll make that part of 'our' will or not.

"Here am I, send me" .... is from a willing servant in The Word, but that servant was called to his ministry before he was born also.

I guess just being jealous for Him to receive all of the Glory is all that I meant above. Whenever that we focused on what we are saying or asking or praying 'for ourselves' - there is the chance of being overly self-conscious as to what God does.
That's the only reason I posted the verses I did above. Not to hurt.

Jim Elliot was the first to come to mind when I first read the thread's title. But if God had not first called brother Elliot there or if it weren't God's will, then it would have been in vain.
We all know it wasn't in vain though ~~~ GLORY 'TO' GOD !!!

:-D

sermonindex Jun 10, 2007

What a wondful and very challenging question.

A number of times I have prayed that the Lord would sort out something amiss in my heart "whatever it takes", and have found it worth the resulting struggle. But in a sense this was a selfish prayer because I knew enough of His ways by then to realise that, however painful, it was the only way to be made whole.

Some years ago I nearly prayed an even more dangerous prayer, however, because it would have harmed my relationship with Him.

I was teaching and finding it very hard because of not being able to control the children. I was still in the first year of teaching in this country and was doing my probationary year, that you have to pass before you can continue to teach.

It was so hard I feared I would have a breakdown, and was on the point of praying that I would fail the probationery year and so ~~[i]~~have[/i] to leave.

As I was abouit to pray this the Lord dropped a verse from Psalm 107 into my mind, "He gave them their request, ~~[i][u]~~but sent leanness into their soul[/u][/i]"

It was as if He was saying, "Do you ~~[i]~~dare[/i] to pray this prayer? I might just decide to answer it - is that what you ~~[i]~~really[/i] want?"

I never did pray that most dangerous prayer. - Although He did take me out of teaching a year or so later. But it had to be in His time, not mine.

Blessings

Jeannette

sermonindex Jun 10, 2007

Also, I was thinking how Paul didn't have to ask for his "thorn". 2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, ~~[u]~~lest I should be[/u] exalted above measure.

He didn't even know he needed one - but God knew his heart --- both that it was bent toward 'anything' the Lord wanted, yet the Lord had spoken to him Phil 3, that though he was pressing on as hard as he could to "hear and follow" whatsoever the Lord would have him do, minute by minute ... there were times that 'only God' would know what 'humblings' Paul would need ... though even Paul prayed 3 times to be rid of this humbling. And it was for "future tense" prevention of pride.

This thorn reminds ne of the guards we put up on our computers to prevent any future problems.
The Lord is faithful to put up this guard before the problem even comes, as this example shows with Paul.
But sometimes, He'll have to let us fall flat on our face ... but I think that is only when we've lost touch that "all sufficientcy" comes from Him and that "without Him", we can do "nothing".
~~[b]~~Php 3:7~15 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; IF by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: ~~[u]~~and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.[/u][/b]

HE is Faithful 1Th 5:23,24 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, Who also Will Do It." Bless GOD!

A

ADisciple Jun 10, 2007

LittleGift wrote:
As I was abouit to pray this the Lord dropped a verse from Psalm 107 into my mind, "He gave them their request, ~~[i][u]~~but sent leanness into their soul[/u][/i]"

...Yes, there is this kind of "dangerous prayer," too, the wrong kind. If we're praying out of wrong motive, or selfish desire, and God sees we simply are not in listening mode, He just might give us what we want. To our sorrow.

Thanks for the reminder, Jeannette.

AD

C

ccchhhrrriiisss Jun 10, 2007

Hello...

I've prayed like this. At the time, people told me that it was "wrong" to pray in such a manner. The result was, indeed, quite powerful. However, the LORD answered such a prayer as HE determined! While it might not have been the way I desired -- it was the means by which God set me on the path He had chosen.

Dangerous? Certainly! But the result is eternal bliss!

:-)

B

BrokenOne Jun 10, 2007

GrannieAnnie wrote:
Jim Elliot prayed a dangerous prayer, but even then, the Lord had laid that desire upon his heart, but He does look for us to except whether we'll make that part of 'our' will or not.

Yes!! We are in total agreement on this. The desire to pray that prayer does not originate in me, but in Him. The YES that I was feeling inside as I kept thinking about those words “conform me to the image of Christ, no matter what the cost” – that was the YES of the Spirit of God within me, saying “YES – this is what I want to do in you”

Not to hurt.

GrannieAnnie – my heart just melted when I read this. There was no hurt. The Lord used your words as an opportunity to search my heart. It was a good thing. Thank God for His people who are zealous for His Glory.

A Disciple wrote:
Do it, Lord, in me, and in BrokenOne, and in all those you've marked out for this, marked out for Your glory, whatever the cost! The cost of You NOT doing it is far far greater, not only for ourselves but for others! We can't even consider that, Lord. Do it for Your own Name's sake! That Your Name might shine again in the earth!

AMEN!!!

J

JesusIsMyLrd Jun 10, 2007

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

As i have prayed over the years since when i became a Christian, God has taken my prayers to a much deeper level than i ever thought before.

In the past 2 weeks, God has been doing such a deep work in my heart. He has been revealing His glory and Awesomeness to me while i pray, while i read His Word, and it is life-shaking. i have not been the same since about 1 1/2 weeks ago i was seeing my need of personal heat for Christ, and prayed this dangerous prayer:

"Lord, i'm done telling You what You need to do in my life... i'm done telling You what needs to be changed... i'm done trying to figure out what needs to happen... Lord, i'm not sure what needs done, but (And at this point my heart reached out in simple, trusting, faith) would you DO SOMETHING???? WHATEVER NEEDS TO HAPPEN, DO IT"

And in that instant-- i met Jesus in reality like i have never before. And after that, my prayers have changed.

Why was that a dangerous prayer? Well, because it changed the way i live, for i have met the life-changer in an intimate way, and it has made my prayers like that of Jim Elliot:

..."Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God..."

Oh, all the things that charm me most, i see that it is my REASONABLE service to sacrifice them to His blood... Jesus deserves it, brothers and sisters... He really does.

Now, i'm not saying that i was not born-again before that, but Christ has been made deeper in my heart- i don't understand all His doings but i know one thing's for sure-- He's doings are all well!!! Praise the Lord Jesus!!

God bless.

In Christ's love,
-nate

sermonindex Jun 10, 2007

BrokenOne and nate, your posts really blessed me.

I knew you felt strongly about His Glory, lest you wouldn't have prayed this way at all. Ha, folks don't unless they do.

nate, what you said is what I reckon I was trying to say just through my few words and those Verses.

Everyday is dangerous, if we "walk in the spirit". It's a walk, not an event. Paul's life was dangerous, as his/our Master's was.
Jesus was Love Incarnate - but they were always seeking to kill Him and both had no shortage of enemies or those who twisted their words, etc..
All who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution and persecution or hardships, etc., bring the best out of us.

Blessings to y'all and happy to have more "living sacrifices" here ~ Romans 12.
His Love multiplied.

A

ADisciple Jun 11, 2007

Spitfire wrote:
I prayed that God would let me see as he sees and feel what he feels. This has proven the most painful of all.

This really spoke to me. I have been thinking about it all day.

I am really appreciating this thread.

AD

A

awakenwithin Jun 11, 2007

Spitfire wrote:

I prayed that God would let me see as he sees and feel what he feels. This has proven the most painful of all.

I have to agree with this. This was my prayer, and it hurt when God answered. But it was worth it.

In his love
charlene

A

awakenwithin Jun 11, 2007

A dangerous prayer -
That I made a few years ago, was to know how to love without them giving back.
To just love without accepting anything back.
loving my brother and father
God allowed to live with each of them. He allows us to put to action what we pray.
Just this week, God cahnged my heart. That I want to clean the house for my brother, not beacuse I have to, but because I love him
This was my prayer, and God is changing my heart

The most is to love my God above all, and show all things that take his place.

I seen That all we have to do is open the bible and start praying with faith that God's is ture to us. To pray God's word is the most dangerous prayers. Truth with power. It a hunger and broken heart that longs to be like Christ.

Thank you all for sharing,
May God hear your heart crys. May he grow and deepen each of your prayer lives. May he give a vision a purpuse to seek his face. that he would tear down every idol in our lives, every false idea we come to think is right. may shine his light to help us see our sins. that he would give us his love, that we might love others. That we might die to self. that would see our God in all His glory. that we would see we are just like a infant in great need of help. may we lead by the spirit. may we truly be on fire for God.

may God help us, by giving us his grace to pray.
may the spirit of God take control of each of our lives.

in his love
charlene