Embracing Dangerous Prayers for Spiritual Transformation

 

Summary

In the exploration of spiritual growth and commitment, the concept of "dangerous prayers" is introduced as a transformative practice for believers. These prayers are considered dangerous not because they invoke divine wrath, but because they demand a level of honesty and obedience that can lead to significant life changes. The focus is on the willingness to surrender personal plans and desires in favor of divine direction, as highlighted by the biblical reference to Proverbs 16:1-3, which emphasizes that while humans can make plans, it is ultimately God who determines the right path.

The discussion delves into the struggle many face in discerning God's will for their lives. It is suggested that the will of God is found within the Word of God, and that a personal relationship with the Creator is essential for understanding one's purpose. This relationship is cultivated through reading scripture, prayer, and fasting, which can lead to a peace that surpasses all understanding, originating from the Prince of Peace.

A quote from Craig Groeschel serves as a poignant reminder to not become complacent with one's achievements or to dream too small. It challenges individuals to step out of their comfort zones and to trust in God's mastery, especially when faced with uncertainty and the unknown. This idea is further reinforced by personal anecdotes that illustrate the power of obedience to God's calling, even when it leads to unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations.

The narrative also touches on the internal struggle between character and charisma, suggesting that many may lack character rather than charisma. It is through the process of being searched by God that one's true spiritual condition is revealed, including hidden motives and character flaws. This introspection is necessary for personal growth and aligns with the teachings of Psalms 139:23-24, where David asks God to search his heart, test him, and lead him along the path of everlasting life.

The concept of "search me" is emphasized as an internal process that examines one's motives. It is acknowledged that even those with seemingly pure motives can be misguided, and only through divine examination can true purity be ascertained. The courage to ask God to lead one's life is highlighted as a particularly daunting aspect of faith, as it requires complete surrender and trust in God's plan.

The narrative also addresses the common human experience of anxiety and the modern world's struggle with it, despite advancements in science and connectivity. It suggests that turning to God first in times of anxiousness can be a powerful step toward peace. The importance of surrendering one's plans to God is reiterated, as this surrender can lead to a peace that surpasses all understanding.

In conclusion, the message encourages believers to embrace the concept of dangerous prayers, which involves asking God to search, test, and lead them. This practice is seen as a means to reveal one's spiritual condition, challenge hidden motives, and ultimately trust in God's plan over personal desires. The transformative power of such prayers is underscored by the belief that they can lead to a life marked by divine purpose and peace.

Key Takeaways:

- Dangerous prayers, such as asking God to search and know one's heart, are transformative because they require a level of vulnerability and openness to change that can lead to a deeper spiritual life. When individuals invite divine scrutiny into their lives, they must be prepared to act on the insights and guidance received, which can lead to profound personal and spiritual growth. [37:07]

- The struggle to discern God's will is often rooted in a lack of engagement with the Word of God. By prioritizing time with scripture, prayer, and fasting, individuals can align their desires with God's plans, leading to a sense of peace and direction. This practice is essential for anyone seeking to understand their purpose and live a life that reflects divine intention. [58:29]

- The concept of surrendering to God's will involves a willingness to abandon personal plans in favor of divine guidance. This surrender is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey of trust and obedience. As believers learn to let go of their expectations and embrace God's plans, they often experience a greater sense of fulfillment and alignment with their true calling. [01:00:08]

- Anxiety and worry are common experiences in today's society, but they can be mitigated by starting with God in times of distress. Before seeking human advice or venting on social media, turning to prayer can provide a foundation of stability and peace. This approach underscores the importance of seeking divine help first in all areas of life. [49:15]

- The act of fasting, while seemingly a physical discipline, is deeply spiritual and signifies a commitment to prioritizing God's will over personal comfort. It is a tangible expression of the desire for more of God and less of oneself, and it can be a powerful catalyst for spiritual breakthroughs and deeper communion with the divine. [55:40]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalms 139:23-24 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
2. Proverbs 16:1-3 - "To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
3. Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"

#### Observation Questions
1. What does David ask God to do in Psalms 139:23-24?
2. According to Proverbs 16:1-3, what is the relationship between human plans and God's direction?
3. How does Jeremiah 17:9 describe the human heart?
4. In the sermon, what does the pastor identify as the most dangerous prayer? ([37:07])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might David have felt the need to ask God to search his heart and test his thoughts in Psalms 139:23-24?
2. How does the concept of "dangerous prayers" challenge our usual approach to prayer and spiritual growth? ([37:07])
3. What does it mean to surrender personal plans in favor of divine guidance, as discussed in the sermon? ([57:24])
4. How can the act of fasting be seen as a commitment to prioritizing God's will over personal comfort? ([55:40])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt anxious. How might starting with prayer have changed your experience? ([49:15])
2. What personal plans or desires are you holding onto that you might need to surrender to God? How can you begin this process? ([57:24])
3. Have you ever prayed a "dangerous prayer" like asking God to search your heart? What was the outcome, and how did it affect your spiritual growth? ([37:07])
4. In what ways can you engage more deeply with scripture, prayer, and fasting to better discern God's will for your life? ([58:29])
5. Think of a situation where you felt God was leading you out of your comfort zone. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([50:57])
6. Identify one area of your life where you might have hidden motives. How can you invite God to reveal and purify these motives? ([43:22])
7. How can you practice turning to God first in times of anxiety or distress, rather than seeking human advice or venting on social media? ([49:15])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Vulnerable Transformation
True spiritual growth requires vulnerability and a willingness to change. By inviting God to search our hearts, we open ourselves to His transformative work, which can lead to a deeper understanding of our spiritual condition and a more authentic relationship with Him. This process is not without its challenges, as it often reveals uncomfortable truths, but it is essential for those who seek to live a life that is truly aligned with God's will. [37:07]

Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life that you have been hesitant to open up to God's transformative power, and how can you take steps to become more vulnerable in your prayer life?

Day 2: Aligning with Divine Intention
To discern God's will, one must immerse themselves in His Word. Scripture, prayer, and fasting are not just religious practices but avenues to align one's heart with God's desires. As we prioritize these spiritual disciplines, we find clarity and peace in our purpose, moving closer to the life God intends for us. [58:29]

Colossians 3:16 - "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
Reflection: How can you more intentionally incorporate scripture, prayer, and fasting into your daily routine to better discern God's will for your life?

Day 3: Journey of Surrender and Trust
Surrendering to God's will is a continuous journey of trust and obedience. It requires letting go of our own plans and embracing the path God has laid out for us. This act of surrender leads to a life of fulfillment and divine purpose, as we learn to trust in God's perfect plan over our own. [01:00:08]

Jeremiah 10:23 - "Lord, I know that people's lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps."
Reflection: What personal plans or desires are you holding onto that may be hindering your complete surrender to God's will?

Day 4: Prioritizing Divine Help in Distress
In a world filled with anxiety, turning to God first in times of distress offers a foundation of peace and stability. Before seeking human advice or solutions, prayer should be our initial response. This practice of seeking divine help first can transform our experience of worry into one of trust and peace. [49:15]

Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: When faced with anxiety or worry, how can you make turning to God in prayer your first response rather than your last resort?

Day 5: Fasting as a Catalyst for Spiritual Depth
Fasting is a physical expression of a spiritual desire to prioritize God's will over personal comfort. It is a discipline that signifies a hunger for more of God and less of oneself. Through fasting, we can experience spiritual breakthroughs and deepen our communion with the divine. [55:40]

Isaiah 58:6-7 - "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"
Reflection: How can you incorporate fasting into your spiritual practice to deepen your relationship with God and to become more attuned to His will?

Quotes

1) "It's either God is God of all or God is God of none because we are so good at posting about it, but it's when the tests come, that's where you see what you're made out of." [45:43]

2) "We got to let God get down within us and quit putting on some Band-Aids. God's got to do some surgery and change us." [46:56]

3) "Often times God will call you to do something that you cannot do in your own doing. He's not going to show you the whole picture at once; he asks you to take one step at a time." [41:32]

4) "Your greatest decision that you're ever going to make is not what you are going to do with your hands for God but it's what God is wanting to do with your heart." [42:13]

5) "Dangerous prayers reveals our spiritual condition. God begins to check our motives and our fears. Where we fear the most is where we trust God the least." [43:22]

6) "It's a dangerous prayer to ask the Lord to search me, to lead me. It's not dangerous because we are afraid that God will be mad at us, it's dangerous because we will have to give an account to obeying or disobeying what God asked us to do." [37:07]

7) "Before we post about it and before we talk about it to other people, what would happen with all of our anxiety if we started with the Lord saying, 'Lord help me with my anxiousness'?" [49:15]

8) "It's in the secret place when I'm praying and seeking the Lord, God what do you think about this? It's not audible but it's just the spirit beginning to take root in my life." [59:33]

9) "There's nothing more dangerous than for us to reject God's plan and keep our own plan. When I do my own plans, it's messy. Dylan hurts people, Dylan is selfish, Dylan was lustful." [01:00:08]

10) "I remember God radically transformed my life... and I remember a year after that there was this concert at our school... and I remember the Lord saying, 'Dylan, will you stand for me right now?'" [52:48]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jan 15, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?