Recently, my friend Carey
wrote a terrific devotional blog about praying “stretching
prayers.” It struck a chord with me because if I’m honest, my prayers aren’t
really that spectacular. I pray for my family and friends, pray for strength, provision and
peace, pray over illness and disasters – you know, the “safe” stuff.
But, what if…
After I read that blog, I thought back to a time not all
that long ago when God made it abundantly clear that He not only had a good
plan for my life, but He gave me a clear, direct vision of what that plan
looked like, speaking in an audible voice directly into my heart.
It made me think.
- How much have I really yielded to Him to follow this path?
- Have I honestly dedicated myself to His plan and His purposes?
- Am I constantly seeking His will and His ways?
- Are my prayers “big, stretching” prayers that may involve risk, but will align me with His heart?
God has used closing doors and “divine interruptions” to
grab hold of my attention. He’s removing any doubt that I can or should be
plowing ahead of my own volition. My want to feel comfortable and safe are
being replaced with a need to completely trust and take risks for Him.
So,
why should I be afraid?
“Surely
God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and
my defense; he has become my salvation. ” Isaiah 12:2
God
has a place of significant reserved for me, but only when I yield to His
calling.
“But
you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special
possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of
darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
The
job is clear.
“…to
shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide
our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:79
I don’t
have to figure it out alone.
“For
we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
So, are you with me? Are you willing to
pray those “stretching prayers” that may just cause ripples in our lives we can’t
imagine? And yet, if we do, we just might begin to see what life if truly all
about.
Posts
He is on a HUNT girl for people who will not only pray these stretching prayers, BUT for who will say YES when HE answers or calls us to do something for HIM that is "stretching" -- I'm with YOU! I have found that there is NO better joy than to be used by God, to be stretched, and refined -- it's NOT easy, it definately takes me outside my box, my comfort zone, BUT that's when life. Begins. {for me anyway}. LOVE your post friend. Thank YOU for sharing it with me. =)
ReplyDeleteTeri, thanks! My little discomfort is nothing compared to the BIG rewards He has planned as a result of our obedience. Praying with you!
DeleteLove this, Patti! I want to dare to pray stretching prayers. I want Him to expand me one situation, one decision, one day at a time into an ordinary girl who's more yielded to Him and therefore more able to be used by Him.
ReplyDelete