“Risky” Prayers (And Why Everyone Should Pray Them)

I was listening to a Christian radio program recently. The guest was talking about some hardship he was going through. This man told his pastor he had asked God not to end his trial until God had accomplished all his purposes. The pastor shook his head, as if this guy was crazy. Why did the pastor disapprove? I guess I’ve never really understood what was wrong with praying things like that.

Why are we scared to ask God to humble us? Sure, he could show us how sinful we really are, or perhaps let us see some failure, but then what? Are you saying that God would actually answer my request for humility?

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask meanything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16)

Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:23-24)

My favorite part of these verses is the phrase, “that your joy may be full.” Do you really believe that God is better than every single thing, material or immaterial, that we can possess in the universe? Or maybe if you’re like me, you want to, but don’t. So then, do you have a faith that says, “If I really understood the truth about this world and about God, I would desire nothing else besides him,”? Isn’t he the better portion?

…A woman named Martha welcomed [Jesus] into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

This year, I’ve been anxious and troubled about so many things—I could write ten posts about all the pain and trials God has brought into my life this past year. But I prayed that God would show me the only thing that is necessary: He alone is the good portion. That’s why I prayed consistently at the beginning of the semester that God would humble me. I prayed that for two weeks. And that’s why I told him, “Don’t let these trials end until you accomplish all that you want to do in my life, until you capture my whole heart, so that will I love you above all else.”

This past year has been the most painful time in my life. When I share all that has happened with people, they’re nearly speechless that all this could have happened to one person in so narrow a timeline. I don’t have an inflated ego when I compare myself to Job—God has touched every area of my life with pain. Does it suck? Yes. Do I despair and turn away from God? Yes. Do I regret asking God for more of him? Never.

Risky? Perhaps… But then, what would our faith be if we didn’t desire God more than our very lives? Come, come with me and confess the words of Paul:

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him… (Philippians 3:7-9)