The famous English mariner, Sir Frances Drake, penned the following prayer in 1577 as he prepared to embark on another adventure: "Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the waters of life; having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity; and in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim. Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery; where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes; and to push into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love."
These words challenge me. Frankly, when I reflect on my own prayers, I struggle to remember a time when I prayed for God to disturb me. Much more common are the times when I pray for difficulties to be taken away or resolved. While there is nothing wrong with those kinds of prayers, perhaps I need to expand my prayer horizons. Instead of always praying for ease, do I have the courage to pray for struggles? Instead of always praying that my needs are met, do I have the courage to pray for seasons of deprival? Instead of always praying for safety, do I have the courage to pray for opportunities to exercise my faith in dangerous ways? I wonder...
Jesus prayed a dangerous prayer in John 17:1: “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You.” Those words might not sound too perilous, but, in essence, He is saying, “Bring on the cross!” Disturbing? Yes! But God-honoring as well. Lord, as a disciple of Jesus, give me the courage to pray dangerous prayers!
God loves you!
Mike
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