The Scariest Prayer

I pray for America.

I pray that this country would be a safe place, that a gunman won’t shoot up my grocery store or my kids’ school, that bad guys in here would be put behind bars and bad guys out there would keep their nuclear weapons to themselves. I pray that we would have leaders with integrity who love freedom and unborn babies and poor people. I pray that earthquakes and droughts and hurricanes will keep their distance, and that America will prosper and flourish.

And more importantly,

I pray that the gospel of Jesus Christ will take root in this land. I pray that millions will bow their knees and give praise to their Creator. I pray for revival, for regeneration, for transformation.

But what if, in order to answer the more important prayer, God must allow  

gunmen

nuclear weapons

financial collapse

natural disasters

What if these are the means of answering the more important prayer? 

So, even though it scares me, I must pray, Your will be done.

I pray for the Church.

I pray that the Church in America enjoys religious freedom, that every Sunday we can sing the Truth and our pastors can preach the Words of Life and no authority will tell us that’s against the rules. I pray that our Christian schools can stay Christian without penalty and that our Christian businesses can stick with their consciences. I pray that the Church’s reputation is positive in the government and the media so that our influence is strong in the public sphere.

And more importantly,

I pray that the Church in America treasures Jesus Christ above all else, above reputation, and power, and money. I pray that the Church is purified of pride and deceit and prejudice. 

But what if, in order to answer the more important prayer, God must allow  

government restrictions

loss of freedom

shuttered churches and schools

penalized businesses

loss of political and social influence

What if these are the means of answering the more important prayer? 

So, even though it scares me, I must pray, Your will be done.

I pray for my children.

I pray that these four that I love more than life are healthy and that no harm comes to them. I pray that they succeed in school and sports and art. I pray that they have lots of friends and that they feel loved and encouraged and are happy with themselves and with their lives. I pray that they find fulfilling careers, supportive spouses, and go on to have healthy children of their own.

And more importantly,

I pray that my children become men and women after God’s own heart. I pray that they love you with all their hearts and souls and minds and strength, and that they love their neighbor more than they love themselves. 

But what if, in order to answer the more important prayer, God must allow 

sickness

disability

failure

depression

loneliness

What if these are the means of answering the more important prayer? 

So, even though it scares me, I must pray, Your will be done.

I pray for myself.

I pray that my life would be rock-free, peaceful, joyful, predictable. I pray for success in my endeavors, for financial stability, for good health. I pray that my life would impact many, that I would see the fruit of my labor, that my influence would be far-reaching.

And more importantly,

I pray that my life would be poured out for you. I pray that my sin would be uncovered and rooted out, that I would live in dependence on you, that I would know you more fully, more deeply, more completely. I pray that my life will bring you glory. 

But what if, in order to answer the more important prayer, God must allow 

pain

sorrow

obscurity

defeat

loss

What if these are the means of answering the more important prayer? 

So, even though it scares me, I must pray, Your will be done.

On the night before he died, Jesus prayed, “If it is possible, let this cup [of unimaginable suffering] pass from me.”

But it wasn’t possible. There was no other way. 

In anguish he prayed, Your will be done.