These short prayers may be uncomfortable but will lead you into deeper faith.
Do you feel distant from God? Does your spirit quiver for lack of faith? Has your heart grown weary at the rampant evil in our world? Have you long forgotten how it feels to be renewed by the breath of God? Do you long for your first love to be restored?
Rather than offer advice, let me ask you one more question: When was the last time you prayed a dangerous prayer?
Not that the prayer was against God’s will, but was an all-out, down-on-your-knees, beg-the-Lord-to-use-you kind of prayer. One which will inevitably cause you temporary pain or discomfort but one you know will draw you closer to the Father. When was the last time you prayed that kind of prayer?
There was a time when my prayers were anything but dangerous, more like safe, vague and just skimming the surface. Sure, I prayed every morning and then in short bursts throughout the day. I thanked God and prayed for others. But was I praying dangerously?
Unfortunately, no.
I knew it, and so did God. So what did He do? He called me out on it. Yes, He did it gently and lovingly, but it was still a solid punch in the stomach that’d make any boxing instructor proud.
Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to join me. Don’t recite the words, “pray without ceasing,” but live them. Don’t just read about Nehemiah’s heartfelt prayers, but make them your
own. Most importantly, don’t just ask God to do something in your life, but listen to Him and offer yourself as His vessel.
Rather than ask God to keep you safe, ask Him to break you.
Rather than ask God to provide for you, ask Him to search you.
Rather than ask God to bless you, ask Him to use you.
Talk about dangerous! Not dangerous in the sense they would cause needless pain, but dangerous in their vulnerability and sacrifice.
Though short—just two words—these prayers have mighty implications. They shout to the world that we are not our own and were bought for a price. They remind us of Whose we are and for Whom we live. They glorify our Father in Heaven and testify to His worth.
Prayers with Eternity in Mind
Praying in such a way will lead to persecution, division, doubt, and possibly even death. But when you think about it—and I mean really mull it over—why would we want to do anything differently for the One who died for us and willfully allowed Himself to be separated from the Father on our behalf?
Don’t run from the blessed assurance that awaits you in prayers such as these. God has not called us to a carefree life, but one rooted in Him. Jesus Himself often warned His early followers of the pain they would endure in His name, and He did it with His eyes set on on the Cross.
Jesus knew what lay ahead for Him and His early followers, just like He knows what lies ahead for you. He knows all this and He encourages you to pray dangerously anyway!
The One who faced every temptation and went head-to-head with Satan himself exhorts us to forsake our prayers of comfort and embrace ones of eternal reward. Why? Because He knows the glory which awaits those bold enough to obey.
He understands your reservations, but He is asking you to look beyond yourself and focus on Him. With hands cupped around your face, hear Him as He says, “My child, I know, but take heart, I’ve got you. I won’t let go. There will be pain, but trust Me, My peace is far greater.”
Jesus sees the fear in your eyes. He feels the doubt in your heart. But, like the mighty, merciful Savior He is, He wipes the tears away and says, “O, you, of little faith. Remember who I am. I am yours and You are mine. Nothing can separate us. Will you believe Me now?”
Small Prayers, Big Faith
Your prayers need not be long and grand. A simple two words will do. For it’s your heart, God desires. He’ll take care of the rest. All that stands between you and bigger faith is a couple of words. Which ones will you choose?
– Search me.
– Try me.
– Cleanse me.
– Mold me.
– Send me.
– Use me.
Prayers such as these will inevitably lead us into uncomfortable, difficult and possibly even life-threatening places, but even more assuredly, they will lead us into a deeper relationship with the Father. They will expend our strength, dismantle our pride and broadcast our helpless, sinful state, but they will give us the opportunity to rely on, glorify and revere our perfectly merciful, gracious, and mighty God.
These prayers open the door to trials and cultivate the soil for deeper faith.
You don’t need some 5-step process for bigger faith. What you need is that which all the saints who came before us had, something God laid out for us in His Word and exemplified in His Son.
Prayer. Prayer and an obedient heart.
That’s all Daniel, Isaiah, Nehemiah and Mary had, but it was all God wanted.
Your faith may feel small and shriveled. Maybe it feels nonexistent. Wherever you find yourself, Jesus will meet you there. With His nail-scarred hand, He will pick you up and carry you through to brighter days. All He asks for in return is your heart and your willingness—dare I say eagerness—to pray dangerous prayers. How will you respond?
Brittany Ulman is a Revelation Wellness Instructor and founder of the Jesus Connection, a ministry with a mission to equip 20 somethings to be disciples. She is also a group fitness instructor and personal trainer at Snap Fitness in Greenville, Ohio and a substitute multi-tasking ninja (a.k.a. teacher). For more about the Jesus Connection, visit thejesusconnection.info or check it out on Facebook and Instagram.
