Courageous Prayers
What could happen if we dared to pray beyond our safe, predictable prayers?
Courage is the ability to do something that frightens you.
A courageous prayer is a prayer that pushes us out of comfort zones—it takes us beyond the places that feel safe, familiar, and predictable.
1. Search Me Prayer [Psalm 139]
Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
"God, I give You permission to..."
Go into the deep recesses of my heart.
Reveal my blind spots.
Uncover the things I've been in denial about.
Highlight what I've tried to cover up or explain away.
Put Your finger on the things I've ignored or brushed off.
Point out where I'm being defensive and insecure.
Show me my selfish motives and attitudes.
Show me what I'm afraid of.
"What we hide the most reveals where we trust God the least."
2. Send Me Prayer [Isaiah 6]
Isaiah 6:5-8 (NLT) Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” 8 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.”
This is a prayer of availability.
Matthew 10:1 (NLT) Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
We are telling God...
He has permission to interrupt our day.
We’re done with putting safety bumpers around what we will and won’t do for Him.
He can move us and prompt us in any direction He chooses.
Our abilities and resources are His to use at His discretion.
3. Break Me Prayer [Luke 22]
Luke 22:14-19 (NLT) When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15 Jesus said, "I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before My suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God." 17 Then He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come." 19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples…
1 Peter 2:21 (NIV) To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.
Psalm 51:17 (AMP) My [only] sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart…
Matthew 21:44 (NKJV) “And whoever falls on this stone will be broken…"
4. Not Me Prayer [Luke 22]
Luke 22:39-42 (NIV) Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and His disciples followed Him. 40 On reaching the place, He said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."