Embracing the Call: The Dangerous Prayer of Surrender

Today, we explored the heart of what it means to pray the most dangerous prayer: “Here I am, Lord, send me.” This is not a prayer for the faint of heart, nor is it a prayer that leaves us unchanged. It is a prayer that moves us from comfort to calling, from self-preservation to self-surrender, and from passive faith to active mission. We began by remembering that prayer is not a monologue but a conversation—a two-way relationship with God that invites us into intimacy and transformation. Prayer is meant to be our first response, not our last resort, and it is through this ongoing dialogue that God prepares us for His purposes.

We looked at Isaiah’s encounter with God in Isaiah 6, where he was overwhelmed by God’s holiness and his own unworthiness. Yet, in that moment of brokenness, God cleansed him and called him. Isaiah’s response was immediate and unconditional: “Here I am, send me.” This is the posture God desires from each of us—not a list of conditions or preferences, but a blank check of availability. God does not call the qualified; He qualifies those He calls. Our sense of inadequacy is not a barrier but an invitation to depend on Him.

Saying “send me” is costly. It means surrendering our plans, comforts, and even our preferences. It may mean forgiving someone we’d rather not, serving in obscurity, or stepping into the unknown. But it is precisely in this surrender that we discover the abundant life Jesus promised. A life poured out for God, like the woman who broke her alabaster jar or like Jesus Himself, is a life that bears much fruit. God’s call is not just for pastors or missionaries; it is for every believer, in every sphere of life. Whether in your workplace, your school, your home, or across the world, God wants to use you.

The journey begins with small steps of obedience—responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, being faithful in the little things, and being open to God’s interruptions. As we make ourselves available, God will use us in ways we cannot predict, and our lives will become a testimony of His grace and power. The question is not whether God is calling, but whether we will answer. Will you pray, “Here I am, Lord, send me”?

Key Takeaways

• 1. Prayer is a two-way conversation that leads to transformation, not just a list of requests. When we listen as well as speak, God reveals areas in our lives that need healing and growth, preparing us for His purposes. True prayer is a lifestyle of intimacy and responsiveness to God’s voice. [46:20]
• 2. God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Our sense of inadequacy is not a disqualification but an opportunity to rely on God’s strength. Throughout Scripture, God uses imperfect people who are willing to say yes, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in our weakness. [60:47]
• 3. Saying “send me” is an act of unconditional surrender. It means offering God a blank check with our lives, willing to go wherever, whenever, and however He leads—even if it disrupts our comfort or plans. This kind of surrender is rare in a world obsessed with control, but it is the gateway to true spiritual adventure and fulfillment. [65:09]
• 4. A life fully available to God is the most dangerous—and fruitful—prayer we can pray. When we make ourselves available, God will use us in unexpected ways, often through what seem like interruptions or small acts of obedience. Our primary mission is to be agents of God’s love and truth wherever we are, seeing every moment as an opportunity for His purposes. [69:02]
• 5. Obedience in the small things prepares us for greater assignments. God often tests our faithfulness with little tasks before entrusting us with more significant responsibilities. Don’t wait for a grand calling; start by saying yes to what is in front of you, and trust that God will guide and equip you for each step of the journey. [81:42]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:00] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
• [06:30] - Introduction to Dangerous Prayers
• [08:20] - What is Prayer? A Two-Way Conversation
• [10:00] - Prayer as a Lifestyle and First Response
• [12:00] - Review: Search Me and Break Me
• [15:00] - The Most Dangerous Prayer: Send Me
• [18:00] - Jesus’ Command: Go, Not Stay
• [21:00] - The Cost of “Send Me”
• [24:00] - Isaiah’s Encounter with God’s Holiness
• [28:00] - God Qualifies the Called
• [33:00] - Unconditional Surrender Explained
• [38:00] - Living a Life Fully Available to God
• [43:00] - Obedience in Small Things
• [48:00] - Practical Application: Daily Surrender
• [52:00] - Responding to God’s Call and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Isaiah 6:1-8 (ESV) —
> 1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
> 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
> 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
> 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
> 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
> 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
> 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
> 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Observation Questions

1. In Isaiah’s vision, what was his immediate reaction when he saw the holiness of God? What did he say about himself and his people?
2. What did the seraphim do to Isaiah, and what did it symbolize?
3. According to the sermon, what is the difference between a “safe” prayer and the prayer “Here I am, send me”?
4. What was God’s response to Isaiah’s sense of unworthiness?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Isaiah responded so quickly and unconditionally to God’s call, even after feeling so unworthy?
2. The sermon says, “God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.” How does Isaiah’s story illustrate this truth?
3. The pastor mentioned that saying “send me” is an act of unconditional surrender. What might unconditional surrender look like in the life of an ordinary believer, not just a prophet or pastor?
4. The sermon described prayer as a two-way conversation that leads to transformation. How does this understanding of prayer prepare someone to respond to God’s call?

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to make prayer our first response, not our last resort. Think about a recent challenge or decision in your life—did you pray first, or only after trying everything else? How could you change your approach this week?
2. Isaiah’s willingness to say “send me” came after he experienced God’s forgiveness and cleansing. Is there an area in your life where you feel unworthy or disqualified? How might God want to use even your weaknesses for His purposes?
3. The pastor said that “saying ‘send me’ is costly” and may mean surrendering comfort, plans, or preferences. What is one area of comfort or control that you sense God might be asking you to surrender? What would it look like to take a small step of obedience in that area?
4. The sermon gave examples of God’s call being lived out in everyday places—work, school, home, or even through interruptions. Can you recall a recent “interruption” that might have been a God-given opportunity? How did you respond, and how might you respond differently next time?
5. The pastor encouraged us to be faithful in small things before expecting bigger assignments from God. What is one “small thing” you can say yes to this week as a way of making yourself available to God?
6. The sermon said, “God’s call is not just for pastors or missionaries; it is for every believer.” Who in your life right now might need to experience God’s love through you? What is one practical way you can be available to God for that person this week?
7. The prayer “Here I am, Lord, send me” is described as the most dangerous—and fruitful—prayer. What fears or hesitations do you have about praying this prayer sincerely? How can the group support you in taking the next step?