In the last year or two, I have gotten into the habit of praying the dangerous prayer almost everyday. It has been one of the simplest but hardest things to do. You ask, "what is the dangerous prayer?" The dangerous prayer, challenged by Rory Noland in the book The Heart of the Artist(which I would highly recommend to anyone in leadership, serving on a team, or breathing), simply prays "Lord, help me to die to myself today." Not too complex, ehh? WRONG! It has been one of the most challenging prayers I have ever prayed. To pray that prayer, you are surrendering yourself, your day, and your will over to the Lord to do with whatever He pleases -- to mold you into the image of Christ. It makes me want to scream some days when I know that I'm going through a moment where a part of my sinful nature is dying knowing that I prayed the dangerous prayer that very morning. But, wow, that prayer has ever changed my life!
In John 12:24 it says Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. How much would our life look like if we started dieing to ourselves? Would we love more? Serve more? Give more? What would the very essence of our hearts be changed into? One that is selfless and exuding with the love of Christ?
I want to challenge you to take on the dangerous prayer challenge with me. It is not at all an easy prayer to pray. It takes humility and absolute hunger to be made into the likeness of Christ. Start praying that prayer every day and it will change your life. I dare you.
This post is so powerful Brax. I was reading Boy Meets Girl and this popped out to me:
ReplyDelete"Before we can embrace the grace and forgiveness shown us through Christ's astonishing death, we have to forsake all the wrong ways of thinking and living that many of us adopted..."
I think this is so relevant to our everyday lives.
You have wisdom beyond your years. Keep praying those dangerous prayers ... you'll never be sorry. It may not be easy, but it's worth it. I am challenged and will keep praying that God will help me die to myself daily! It's so hard!
ReplyDelete~Mom