There are different forms of Christian prayer, but whether you have a set prayer time or seek to communicate with God throughout the day (or some combination of both), here are 8 Christian prayers that are extremely dangerous to pray.
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pray them … we should! It just means that when we pray them, we should watch out!
1. Teach me humility.
After you pray this Christian prayer for humility, be ready for people to badmouth you, slander you, and drag your name through the mud. If you pray for humility, be ready for false accusations, for that “skeleton in the closet” to be revealed, or for people to belittle you and talk down to you as if you were inferior.
The only way to learn humility is to be placed in humbling situations, so if you pray for humility, be ready!
2. Teach me patience.
If you pray for patience, get ready to be surrounded by the most annoying people you have ever met. Get ready for your car to break down when you are late for an appointment. Get ready your children to go bonkers. Get ready for prayers to not get answered. Get ready for setbacks, roadblocks, and pitfalls.
Just like with all the other Christian prayers on this list, God teaches us patience by taking us through trying times.
3. Lead me wherever you want me to go.
One way this Christian prayer is often prayed is with the words, “Here I am, Lord, send me.”
Usually when we pray this Christian prayer, we think that God is going to send us into high profile ministry positions, places of honor and glory, and opportunities to be heard. This is why ministry leaders almost never “feel the leading of God” to go to smaller ministries and places of lesser significance. God always seems to “call” pastors and ministry professionals to bigger churches, richer ministries, and positions with greater power.
While I do not deny that God sometimes leads people in these directions, I think that more often than not, God wants to lead us downward, but we refuse to go. Of course, this does not mean that we will stay in the gutter if God leads us there. God may very well lift us up out of the gutter to a place of prominence, but when He does so, He gets the glory instead of us.
That’s why this is such a dangerous Christian prayer. We want to be used by God for great things in His kingdom, but God’s path to greatness usually does not mirror what we had in mind. God’s path to greatness usually leads to prison, death, and the gates of hell.
Also (and this fits with #1 above), when we pray this prayer, we will often be faced with a choice between two ministry positions, one that leads to honor, glory, and fame, and one that leads to obscurity and insignificance. Though the temptation is to choose glory and honor, such decisions may actually be a choice to follow Jesus downward into humility.
I once heard Francis Schaeffer say in an interview that if given the choice between two ministry positions, we should choose the one with less fame and glory.
4. Help me understand the plight of the poor.
This Christian prayer is like asking God to make you poor. Yikes! How can you understand the plight of the poor unless you become poor yourself?!
So do you like your nice house, your two cars, your steak dinners, and your Caribbean vacations? Don’t ask God to help you understand the plight of the poor.
5. Make me more like Jesus.
In one way or another, this has been a constant life prayer of mine. A couple years back, I realized that this prayer ruined my life.
I had my life all figure out, and it was all going according to my perfect plan. Then I started praying this prayer. Before long, all my hopes and dreams lay shattered around my feet. I often tried to pick up the pieces and glue everything back together, but God would come through with His baseball bat and smash it all to hell (almost literally… all of my plans and dreams deserved nothing more).
When you pray to be like Jesus, God will begin to break down, burn away, and slough off anything and everything in your life that does not look like Jesus. This sounds nice until you begin to experience it. The purification of our life may be with God’s refining fire, but it sill burns!
6. Give me more faith.
Christians like our beliefs in nice, neat packages. But life is not like that, and neither is life with God.
When Christians pray for God to give us more faith, we are likely to enter into some of the difficult and doubt-filled times of our lives. You will begin to question everything you have never known and everything you have ever believed. You may even begin to doubt God’s goodness and maybe even His existence.
This is not bad. Embrace the doubts. Understand that if what you believe it true, it can stand up against all questions. Truth does not fear a challenge. There is no other way for your faith to grow than for your faith to be tested.
7. Give me victory over sin and temptation.
How do you think victory comes, except through ever-increasing cycles of temptation? Sure, God does not send the temptations, and He never allows us to be tempted with more than we can bear, but if we pray for God to give us victory over sin and temptation, this is the same thing as asking God to strengthen us so that we can stand up under greater and greater temptations!
So if you pray this Christian prayer, be ready for an onslaught of all the wiles of the devil.
8. Please help my annoying neighbor/coworker come to Christ.
This is a great Christian prayer. Except guess how God is going to help your annoying neighbor or coworker come to Christ? That’s right. He’s going to use you.
I once heard a story of a Bible study group who decided to make a prayer list of all the people they “disliked” the most, and then pray for these people every week as part of the Bible study. Over the course of the next ten years, all but one of the people on that list became believers, and almost all of them became Christians because the members of that Bible study showed grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness to these “annoying” people.
If you are going to pray for someone, be prepared to answer your own prayers.
What Dangerous Christian Prayers have you prayed?
Have you prayed any of the prayers above and learned the hard way how dangerous these Christian prayers really were? Share some of your story in the comment section below. Also, if you have any dangerous Christian prayers to add to this list, let me know!
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Asking to be more like Jesus and praying for others, including annoying and even nasty people, pretty much covers the bases. Hoping for more prominence, power, glory and stuff doesn’t fit very well with the earthly Jesus. How about asking that we will see this life and people as God sees them?
When I was a little boy, if some one had offered me a bag of thousands of marbles, including giant cats eyes, aggies and more I would have thought I had the world by the tail. In recent years I’ve been offered just that a couple of times. I wasn’t interested. Why do I need them? So it goes with what may appeal to us now, whether it be stuff, power, control or recognition. Which of those has any value in the Kingdom?
I prayed that prayer. I asked God that I can see myself, others, creation like Him. Absolutely life changing. Beautiful. I have yet to find an ill effect from it. It always takes my breath when God shows me someone like He sees them. He always gives me words to speak. And as long as I remain in the scriptures even when I don’t actually see the person laid bare I find it impossible to think judge mentally no matter what they may or may not do. I take it you too have said this prayer? Is your experience similar?
Right. The real question is what has value within the Kingdom. This helps inform all our decisions.
this is making it sound like watch out for what your pray because the outcome can come out bad no way got understands what you mean even if you dont use the right words he know what you think and feel in your heart so dont stress about what words you use in your prayers thats the devil trying to twist up your believes remember god loves you and hears what you feel in your heart that there are no words for.
This is true,I prayed for patience, don’t do that.I wasn’t specific,I just prayed for patience a few weeks ago.And now my car is undriveable,I meant to pray for patience,on waiting for my husband to return. I have 2jobs and I go to school,its a little tough.But I know God won’t leave me.Their is nothing he can’t handle.He already took care of it.Amen
God bless
Lala, I’m afraid the enemy of your soul is trying to trick you. Yes, sweetheart, always pray for patience! Patience can be likened to endurance. We sure need endurance as we are in a race. We are going to face tribulation whether we have patience or not. The tribulations can break us if we don’t possess the patience to endure them. I know we need to tell the Lord what we desire, but our feeble words won’t always be in perfect form…or ‘specific’ enough, but the Lord knows the heart…He knows what we’re trying to say. Don’t feel afraid you won’t say it just right & God will misunderstand. Here’s a couple scripture to think on. God bless you, dear!
John 16:33 (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Hebrew 12:1 (KJV) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Luke 21:19 (KJV) In your patience possess ye your souls.
Romans 12:12 (KJV) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
And so many other wonderful scripture…beautifully written on a 4th grade level in the King James Version.
Also…
Romans 8:26 (KJV) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Thank you. So much I’ve been praying for God to restore my marriage if you have time would you please pray for God to restore us thank you so very much for reading my my words from my broken heart
Marie we have a facebook page where we pray for eachother in marriage and family issues! You are invited to join us if you still need prayer, or would like to pray with us! It is Marriage and Family Prayer Circle.
AWESOME
I have a question, when I was a teenager I had Ptsd and drank a lot and partied with friends to soothe my stress. Well my mom and dad prayed For me to be “miserable and uncomfortable in my sin in order for me to come back to God.” Is this an ok prayer to pray? I always wondered after all of theses years… is it ok? Do the ends justify the means?
Yes, A.W., I believe that is a wonderful prayer. Until we become tired of sin and desire a new life…a better life, why would we even consider a change? Remember this, God knows the desires of the heart when prayers are said. He understood your parents prayers….that they wanted salvation for you. He also knows to what extents He will have to go in order to get ones attention. Some may take just a broken spirit & sorrow for what they’ve done while the there it may take hitting rock bottom. God knows what to do with our heartfelt prayers. Sounds like your parents loved you greatly. Seeing a child miserable is hard for parents…but the greatest love is willing to endure the hard parts in order for the end blessings. God bless!
While others it may take hitting rock bottom. **
Aw there was no need for them to pray that prayer because sinful living has its own consequences we creat the hurt and pain on ourselves when we chose to live life the way we want to.Personally i think the prayer was misdirected however there hearts were in the right place because they wanted the best for you.God is not like us he doesnt want to punish he wants to forgive and to heal and love us even when we are sinners.I am thankful that you chose to follow the Lord and he forgives you for the things in your past because he loves and has always loved you because he created you brentnz
No it’s never good to pray like that for anyone. Scripture says that it’s the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. Scripture also tells us to pray for people, not against them. It’s always good to partner with Jesus and get close enough to hear what He is praying because He is always interceding for us. Once you hear what He is praying, pray that prayer.
Maybe you just grew up.
I grew up Catholic and always read the lives of the Saints and one day I said… “Lord, make me a saint! I want to be a Saint!” Ha! And ALL of the above apply to my request!!
Yes, another dangerous prayer. We are all “saints” of course, but in Catholic terminology, the “Saints” went through many trials and tribulations. It is a dangerous prayer, for sure!
I have just wondered through all these replys I have read that in my thoughts people usually pray sincerely when asking God for any certain thing. I believe that when we pray, that the exact words are not of importance as we are not all familiar with the best of eloquence and vocabulary. I am certain that God knows what are true needs are when we pray whether using the proper words or not in prayers. He very likely hears from our mouths and our heart as well with perhaps more focus on our hearts, With this said I am thinking that God in His infinite knowledge will never misunderstand our intentions but see what our heart longs for and compare it with His will in the way He decides to answer us.
Wow, yeah. I agree with that
God’s grace is sufficient for us in all situations. The ultimate is to make heaven. Let us continue to ask Jesus to teach us how to pray and worship.
none of these prayers are dangerous, for example if you pray to become like jesus, and god downgrades your life and you lose your house and car etc, this is good, as God is happier with those who don’t value the material things in this temporary world, and your only going to achieve heaven with Gods happiness
I agree! I’m going through all these so called “dangerous” prayers. I’m living in my car! But I have never experienced true joy and freedom by going through all these tests and trials. I believe calling them dangerous will make Christians want to give up and be lazy and make them walk away from experiencing true joy and abundant life.
*I meant to say, I have experienced true joy and freedom by going through all these tests and trials…perseverance is worth it
Faith it is hard going through trials the secret is knowing that the Lord is your strength because we dont have any.We get angry and blame God for our circumstances because we feel hurt and alone.But he has helped me when i was up against a wall that i couldnt overcome but in his strength i was able.He will get you through this time if you let him just believe brentnz
Amen I so agree
Most saints in the catholic church end up as relics not where i would want to be brentnz
The word “saint” is derived from a Greek verb (hagiazo ) whose basic meaning is “to set apart, ” “sanctify, ” or “make holy.” The Bible refers to those in the early church as saints, and they were all quite alive. When we give our lives to Christ we become set apart and sanctified, an action He performs. He also tells us to be holy as He is holy. Holiness is a product of sanctification, but at the same time an ongoing process. If you have given your life to Jesus you are a saint. It’s nothing you earn, it’s something you are.
I do not know whether it was dangerous to pray (almost twenty years ago), “Oh, yes, wisdom like Solomon, that would be a good idea! But if I had to choose between two options, I would like to share your heart, my God!”
Although that particular (answered) prayer changed my life completely and I do admit that it is not always easy to share God’s heart, nonetheless, I would pray those specific words once again since His LOVE is worth it all! And it is good to know that God loves everyone…
Praying these words, I merely thought of joyful feelings like loving all people like Jesus did. Well, it is true that I (also) experience it the way I hoped for. However, sharing God’s heart has different facets.
For instance, if God decides to give me a prayer of supplication “with groanings too deep for words” (Rom 8:26 ESV) and I am at the same time on a walk in the park or I am cooking dinner, it is not uncommon that I immediately start to weep somehow publicly. And I can’t help but doing so when the tears are rolling down my cheeks – quasi automatically. God never asks, “Susanne, would you mind praying for him/her right now?” Instead, He pours His Spirit out whenever and how He wishes, without any prior warning.
But what can be rather awkward or even scary as for “feeling” it, that happens if God unexpectedly shares with you a special view into a man’s or woman’s heart. Let’s say, you know a very kind and friendly person of whom you thought he would be a super saint. Suddenly, like a flash of lightning, you “see” the true heart condition. Shrinking back from the ugly “sight” presented, you wonder how you could be so wrong before.
Or the other way round. Let’s say someone is imbued with hatred toward you and you think you met the devil personally. But step by step, God reveals to you a very sick and deeply saddened person who suffers from horrible living conditions nobody would like to have at all. And then, you begin to understand what only God knew before.
Honestly, I assume that all our prayers which God answered exactly the way we prayed them were prayers He gave us before, whether we know it or not (cf. 1 Jn 5:14), since apart from that, would He have ever heard us?
As I shared with an above commenter I asked God to see people like He does. I am so very glad to have found others who suddenly have random people, strangers in front of you that you absolutely love with a every fiber of your being. That you in explicitly know things about and things to say which leads the conversation to a place where seeds can be planted. That you have a love for these people you can’t even compare to the love as a mother you have for your children. Absolutely indescribable. Everyone where I live the couple of times I tried to explain this to and praise God for this gift acted like I was crazy even the minister seemed to raise an eye. But that could have been the southern baptist in him thinking women need to be silent not teaching loving quietly. Idk. Thanks for your testimony.
Thanks so much for your encouraging feedback, Wendy. 🙂
Just know that you’re not crazy at all. And you’re not alone in this. Even if others can’t understand us (yet) and we find ourselves seemingly completely alone, we and these people whom we serve can be assured of the following to be true.
Indeed, standing there in losing ground, just know that He will go on loving you eternally, regardless of your feelings that can never be explained. Your King will be touching the very heart of you if you’re crying for Him. He heals the brokenhearted and makes beauty from the ashes (Ps 147:3; Is 61:3).
And like Jesus you will shine like electric light… 😎
Love,
Susanne
My own prayers have lead to a complete metdown of my job, career and personal life, I became almost psychotic and deranged through prayer I had so many people against me I felt my own strength and saness is inate and not through an omnipotent being. What I blame are the little books that are full of prayers to give over parts of ourselves to god. I felt a compete derailing of my self and depravity offered as the will of God. I am happy to abmonish his presence complely and bloody the buggers nose if I could. Prayer should always be well thought through. I feel my will be continually bent with this idiot I feel no aspect of my life to be my own only continual battles with this hateful creature
@ T
Well, that was a very honest comment, to be sure. From my own experience I can say that this is exactly the place where God wants us to be, that is, telling Him frankly about our struggles, particularly with Him.
I remember that I even called God names (for instance, I accused Jesus of being a “douchebag” 😮 because of having left me seemingly all alone in the darkness of some horrible experiences), however, after I dared to do so, I felt deep peace. Makes no sense, does it… 😉 Yet God does not like it when we behave somehow “religiously” before Him; He wants us to realize that we are truly depraved in ourselves.
Believe it or not, all GOOD things come down from above…
Love <3
Susanne from Bavaria
T i understand what you are going through as the word says all things work for good to those who love the Lord though at the time it is miserable.This is a time to just trust him even though you dont understand.What i discovered was it is my heart that is wicked the person i was is no longer.I am a new person in Christ if i want to be that new person the old person has to die.We are reborn but the dying process is painful its like cancer the disease eats you away bit at a time and you get weaker and weaker until you collapse and cant go any further its at that point when you call to God that he hears our cry and rescues us.Now i dont fight it anymore in my strength i just say Lord you know i am weak but in you i am strong i am an overcomer in Christ.Before i was a victim of circumstance now regardless of the circumstance i am an overcomer through him who strengthens me in my weakness.We see it at the time that we are cursed but looking back it was the best thing that ever happened to me because my life is transformed and i live as an overcomer and that is awesome.May he bring you to that place that you to are changed and now that in Chris tyou are more than a conquerer brentnz
Hmm. Interesting point there at the end. I do think that to some degree, the Lord lays on our hearts what we ought to pray for. Of course, many of our prayers are purely selfish, so we need to be careful there.
Of course, there are selfish prayers, Jeremy. Nonetheless, such requests could be a case of James 4:3 which says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”
I believe that God hears all our prayers but He answers only those that are according to His will and plan. Otherwise, He would quasi cease to have control over our lives (humanly spoken at least – I don’t know how it works either).
Right. Good points. There is more power (and more mystery) in prayer than most of us realize, but as you say, God is not obligated to give us what we ask for.
#5 ruined my life, too. Annihilation is actually a much better word to describe it. At least now I feel better knowing I am not the only one thinking everything you just wrote.
You are not alone. Try to know that however painful your current experience might be, God is taking you somewhere.
He most certainly is. After a lifetime of faith, he put me through years of trial, torment, and anguish until I lost everything, including my health. And he took me straight to hell because I now hate him with every fiber of my being and I refuse to play his abusive games.
Read the book of Job… remember you must be willing to give everything up and I mean everything up for him .. just like Abraham when he almost sacrificed his only son Isaic … but the lord stopped him when he saw that Abraham was not with holding not even his own flesh and blood. Ask your self are you ready to give it all for Christ? I am, I have .. and I praise god for all the abuse and suffering that I went through because that made my faith in him only stronger because in all my suffering, let see: loosing my mother when I was 2, sexual abuse from my father, beatings from my stepmother and father, homelessness, hunger, one bad marriage of 10 years with am alcoholic and abusive husband, cancer, removal of thyroid due to cancer, now I have auto ammume disease, financial loses. But all in all I still praise god because I beem put through fire and he has been the only one to be there for me, he has never abanoned me, he is the only one I can trust, who loves me even when was totally lost alone no family, he went after me never gave up on me. I have had prayers answered with in seconds I have had miracle where he rescued me I even believe he was an angel at the precise moment I cried for gods help. I am willing to give up even my own family for him, because they are saved I know I will see them in the kingdom in Christ. He has blessed with 3 children and a second marriage with a good man now going on 16 years of marriage. I am still going through trials and testing and tribulation, but I also ask for wisdom and understanding and he has shown me beautiful things to understand. I fall and then he brings me up and holds my hand and pulls up. He is amazing… praise be to Christ our lord he is worthy of praise. This earth is hell and we have to shed our fleshly and carnal desires it hurts to be more like Jesus I have asked all these prayers and boy is he changing me …. it is ok I have asked him to, even if I kick and scream I still want to be like him. It will hurt like hell but it is all worth it at least for me …because I cannot wait to see him and be in heaven with Christ to worship him and glorifiy him.. be strong others have suffered more being a christian is not for cowards and following christ is dangerouse again are you willing to give it ALL UP for him??? By the way I have forgiven my father and my step mother.. Forgiving is a big thing we have to learn to do ..
I relate a lot to all you have written. At the moment tho I’m in the homelessness season. I’ve been living in my car…through this journey I’ve experienced God in a whole different level, He is training me and preparing me for what’s ahead. We were made to be warriors and we need more brave Christians to fully surrender and to follow Him wholeheartedly no matter the cost.
That’s just the devil lying to you. God didn’t do those things, the devil did. This world is about the creation of choice (as the garden of eden shows- 2 trees). Unfortunately, mankind chose wrongly and we have had to pay for that in many ways. The Job stuff- don’t listen to that. None of us are Job. That was before Christ. The giving up we do, is to give up our self-effort and rely only on Christ’s. Following this faith may cause persecution as the devil fights to pry our souls from God. NO matter what this present suffering is, it does not compare with eternal damnation which we choose when we choose separation from God. In heaven it will not be a matter of choice, but the choice already made- to live in Him and his “perfect will”- not permissive will and so we cannot imagine how great our reward and goodness of God is because nothing in this world compares. God is not mad at you.
I have asked God to lead me out on the water – to give me something so hard, so terrifying, to do that I can’t do it without His help. He has more than answered that prayer EVERY TIME I’ve ever prayed it.
Hmm, yes. That is a dangerous prayer! But as you say, when we pray this, we can only do it by the power of God, so it teaches us humility and faith.
Prayed all that and more a long time ago. One question I would like answered: how do you make the “breaking” etc. stop? (seriously).
Darryl,
I am not sure it ever does stop. At least, it has not stopped for me. Maybe the best we can do is learn to embrace the pain.
Darryl dont fight the breaking it is the best thing ever we just have to trust the Lord because he knows what he is doing.We loath the process because it is humbling and painful it made me see how prideful i was i didnt want to rely on God or anyone for that matter. But when i got to that point that i said Lord i cant do this anymore i need your help that is when i got my break through because i was no longer depending on what i could do but on what God could do for me.I was at the point of a mental breakdown i had internal pressures of my marriage going through a difficult time work pressures were bearing down on me and responsibilitys of looking after a family it was a period of 3 years and we were financially struggling.I was depressed at times but each day i walked out that Door and i said Lord i cant do it but am believing in you that with your help i can.But the benefits of where i am at now are incredible areas i struggled with my whole christian walk have been overcome i am trusting in God for my marriage and work isnt my whole focus anymore that it used to.In fact it was an idol for me because if i did well i felt good about myself and if it didnt go well i felt bad it was the same as my christian walk it was a roller coaster ride.Now its not a struggle anymore i just trust the Lord with each new day he is my strength and he is my rock and he will not fail me.brentnz
Hey brentz- thanks, your comment came at a time when I was literally at the end of myself…I’m now rediscovering that I possess everything when I have nothing.
Darryl like you i also know that without him i can do nothing i am weak but in him we are overcomers its a good place to be dependent on him he can use us when we are in that place i believe God has plans for you that is why the enemy is playing mind games i had a season of that he doesnt bother me now as i fire scripture back at him.Like greater is the lord in me than he that is in the world.Sin shall not have dominion over me.In my weakness i am strong in Christ.Weakness is not an excuse to give in or give up its our opportunity to trust God and walk in his strength and power.You are a mighty man of God you tell the devil to flee in Jesus name and he will. He has to bow the knee to our Lord as God is sovereign over all principalitys and powers .regards brentnz
I made the ‘mistake’ of praying many of those prayers and am experiencing much of what you describe. Thank you fro helping me understand it. An excellent post!
This blog is kismet. It helped reduce tension in a stressed situation. The past few months things for my family have been full of chaos and challenges. Financial, sickness, job loss, depression, cabin fever, loneliness, communication break downs are just a few. Today the water department called saying they suspect a leak as we have used 20,000 gallons of water in just a few days. We found a super soggy area in our yard and did all we could do for the moment shut the water off. My husband(he has an amazing testimony of incredible loss all before age 30 when we meant) but this burst pipe seemed to be the last straw for now. My 15 year old son was upset wondering how he was going to shower. One of my roles has always been to bring laughter and tension reduction. Except Here lately, in all honesty, I have been a little selfish and have started slacking on my job. But tonight this blog inspired me and reminded me of my job. I looked around and I said ” I just wanna know one thing…….who the heck was fool enough to pray for patience? “. Then my son said in complete earnestness until he heard what he was saying couldn’t help but smile despite his disgusted tone said
“well I did a few years ago and I have patience, but that doesn’t mean I am going to be happy when I use them”.
That kind of put things back in perspective. I think he realized this water thing is pretty much only an inconvenience compared to everything else. Because after that he took it in stride and actually seemed to be in a better mood than he had been for a while. My husband also became more himself.
I have a million thoughts about this blog, it prompted many thoughts on simple truths God I haven’t reflected on in awhile but seriously needed to revisit. I know you at least shone a light for this girl here to regain her footing. Thank you again. You are touching lives. You are giving hope.
Stay Gold Ponyboy.
The prayer I have never in the past had the nerve to say? The prayer I don’t think I will ever in the future have the nerve to say?
“God treat me tomorrow like I treated everyone today”
Most dangerous one I ever prayed. Let me be a strong person. That one to me is kind of like the make me like Jesus. All real strength comes from God so it’s a constant cycle of breaking down and rebuilding constantly. That prayer. That prayer there.
Wendy,
Oh that sounds terrible! What a test of patience. Is the water company going to charge you for all that water? (We have to pay by the gallon here in Oregon). How did the pipe burst? Any idea?
It does sound like your husband has a testimony. Sometimes life does get to be more than we can bear. I have often thought that God’s idea of what I can bear is different than what I think I can bear.
They will adjust the bill to a certain extent and probably distribute it over three or four months. So I have trust that what we need will be there when we need it. God taught me trust once by sending so much food to our house our house when we had none the cabinets fell off the wall. Insurance should cover the cost of the work that needs to be done minus the deductible which well we have an unusual housing situation so we may not have to pay any or possibly just half the deductable. So not so bad.
You have a good perspective on this disaster, Wendy. Thanks for trusting God to see you through. That is an encouragement and testimony to all who see it.
And that about the “God won’t break you” cliche? Where did that come from Jeremy. Please I know you know he will break us so please tell me why people say this? That keeps people from understanding what grace really is.
Wow. That is a great one.
It probably comes from the idea of the refiner’s fire, and also how man of the people in Scripture were “broken” before God began to really use them. But you are right, it is a dangerous prayer, and depending on the context, can even cause people to view God wrongly (as you point out).
It’s wonderfully inspiring and uplifting to read everyone’s comments on this topic.
This is an interesting and thought-provoking list. Praying these prayers is helpful in maintaining awareness of your relationship to the Christ, but there’s no real need to pray them, because all of those things come with the territory when you enter into the Spirit, whether you ask for them or not. I like to think of things like humility, patience, submission, compassion (understanding and acceptance of others), love, etc. as spiritual “superpowers.” However, commentaries like Jeremy’s here are useful in achieving a better understanding of one’s relationship to the Holy Spirit.
Of course, calling these prayers “dangerous”, and the claim that #5 “ruined my life”, are literary devices. I’m sure, Jeremy and Megan,that you don’t regret having prayed it, because your life was not ruined, but made over; upgraded to a far better version, if you like.
To Darryl I would reply that you haven’t given us any details of your breaking, but if it is your self that is breaking, it never stops, and that’s a good thing in the end. If what is breaking is related to people and parts of your life that you hold dear, only God can answer to that, and probably with the same answer He gave Job. The rest of us can only pray that your pain is not enduring and unbearable.
The funny thing about #6, asking for more faith, is that you end up getting less faith, but more knowledge and understanding.
That relates to #8. It’s not about those annoying neighbors and co-workers, but about yourself. In that study, those “annoying” people probably became believers and Christians as a result of many events and influences in their lives. The significant thing is that it was the members of the study group who showed (more) grace, love, mercy and forgiveness. Maybe the lesson to be learned is not to pray that someone else becomes who you think they should be, but that you yourself become who you should be.
I used to pray for some of those same things. Now, my own life prayer has become simply, “Thank you, Lord.”
The only truly dangerous prayer here is Wendy’s: ““God treat me tomorrow like I treated everyone today.” Each of us should aspire to get to the point at which we can safely pray that.
Excellent input, Lutek. I agree with the beauty of the comments here. I also am impressed by that prayer of Wendy’s. It will transform how I treat people today …
I remember when I was teenager I ask from God a wisdom. I am not sure it was a wisdom like Solomon which I asked, but now I understand a little bit about His way through my life and others life.. and I found that the dangerous thing on this prayer is that, I realize more how hard to do His will…. when I failed, I felt that I abuse His grace… and the other dangerous thing I found about this pray that I fall in love more and more with Him……:)
Nice example. Yes, praying for wisdom is a dangerous prayer as well. Especially since the more we know the more responsibility we have.
For the first time I’ve come across what I initially subscribed to this website for-conversation with Christians with various experiences in life; cos I also have very bad experiences in this Christian walk. God has given me opportunities to come out of backsliding and I’ve blown them up one after the other.
Thanks for these encouraging responses from other Christians
Glad you are here! Welcome.
Hi Jeremy, what an interesting website. I am going through quite a horrid time at the moment, my wife of 12 years is having an affair with another guy. I have been a christian off an on for the past 25 years, my wife was born again at 12 years old and attended church with her parents for 2 years, but hasn’t been back in church for 30 + years. Her affair has been going on for just over 6 months. I still love her and unless she can see the error of her ways and repents, she could land up in hell. My prayer for her is as follows. I pray that my wife gets convicted, that she will turn from her sinful lifestyle to a lifestyle that glorifies God. I pray that God will with hold all blessings from her until she repents, I pray that she will have a guilty, miserable, heavy heart full of sorrow to drive her out of the other mans arms and into God’s arms. Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, where as worldly Grief produces death. 2 Corinthians ch 7 v 10. I have also prayed that God will do what ever it takes to bring my wife to repentance. I have been praying these prayers for about 2 weeks now and its me that is going through hell, I am seeing absolute horrible sides to my wife. I can see what spiritual warfare is all about.
I am so sorry to hear about your marriage struggles. It has got to be almost debilitating.
Now This may seem overly simplified but sometimes simple is best. A
Stop praying for her like that. You do want what’s best for her but your prayers are being invaded by what is an understandable anger. Truthfully the way you described her conversion I would question if she was saved. So you may be expecting her to understand something that is wrote in a language she can’t even read. And if she is saved people sometime make HUGE errors in judgement. Salvation never means sinless and can not be lost. Thats a huge debate I know but Jeremy has several good blogs that scripturally prove it’s truth. He also has some on people that merely think they are saved but actually are not. I would suggest looking over those.
But as it stands now Your Prayers for her are at the very least unproductive and at the worst destructive. A simple God be with her. Reveal yourself will do.
Then Start praying for yourself. Whether she comes back or leaves you you are going to need God very close. Ask For help from him, perhaps seeking the counsel of a minister will help you talk freely of your feelings. Talking to friends can be difficult because they are apt to encourage negative emotions without even meaning to. Ministers are often trained to simply listen and encourage. study scripture with your heart set on finding God. That is what will change things. It may not bring her back, but it can bring peace to your heart. When we have peace our vision clears and we can start to hear God more clearly. Then you will start to change. Often the person who has been wronged must sacrifice self again and again to show someone Jesus. Remember Jesus had every right to throw the first stone at the woman caught in adultery. But he said “neither do I condemn thee go and sin no more.” It will be hard but sometimes we have to act in love when we don’t feel like it. Become Jesus for her. That’s what she needs not curses.
I truly hope things get better and you will experience healing. I will be praying for you and her as you cross my mind. Much love to you.
Andrew, I am very sorry about what you are experiencing. There is no way I can try to provide any marital counseling in blog comment sections, so won’t even try.
My only suggestion is that you continue to love your wife like Jesus, sacrificing your desires, your goals, your time, and your energy for her, forgiving her as Christ has forgiven you. Easier said than done, I know …
True belief is monotheism. Only One G-d, L-rd = One G-d, L-rd. No addition. No subtraction. That’s Islam/a whole monotheistic religion.
This is different. O ye (few) who believe. trinity + monotheism = polytheism. No one can be equal with G-d alone but G-d alone. 5:72 Those Christians do blasphemy who say G-d is one of three in a trinity. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them. That’s why Christianity has the smallest motheistic population. Cause One G-d is The Truth, not mere words, nor people. 🙂
Qur’an 14:4 God has always sent Words to each nation on their own language so that they may get the message clearly. [The message thus being clear], God then lets those who disbelieve walk on the wrong path and Guides those who believe to join the right path and G-d is the All Mighty, the Wisest.
Please consider this (and be honest).. A lost language is a lost message. The bible/gospel lost its original Aramaic language. The same language proves the same message. The Qur’an has its same language. So the only proof we need to prove which holy book is truest is its original language. It’s that simple.
Actually, a lost language helps preserve the message. Living languages distort the message over time. Take English, as an example. English speakers today can hardly comprehend the English of the 17th century. This is because living languages evolve over time, and so what was written 300 years ago does not mean the same thing today. But a dead language doesn’t change. So we can go back and see how the word were used in their original contexts.
Excellent reply concerning a dead language.
Jesus is come in the flesh. Yahweh is God.
O ye who believe. G-d is only G-d. G-d is not a man Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad were only Prophets/Messengers. Noble men. Birth and death only prove they’re and we’re vulnerable creations.
Do not equal any man or thing with One G-d if you want your soul safe.
Only One Creator has no ending nor beginning. O ye who believe that G-d is only G-d. Say: G-d is One. Absolute and Eternal. G-d never begets and was never begotten. And none can come near in position to the Greatness of G-d. G-d is only Unseen. How Perfect is G-d.
Do not equal any man or thing with One G-d if you want your soul safe.
Jesus is come in the flesh.
I’ve asked God to help me love Him with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength without realizing that meant my idols had to go. Some of those idols were people . . . having those relationships end was heart-breaking, but what I’ve gained in my relationship with the Lord is the best thing that’s ever happened. Great thought provoking post!
I once prayed that whatever it took for me to be closer to God I was willing to do. Literally with in 2 weeks my life crumbled. I thought my marriage was solid, things were coming together for us, we had just purchased a house less than a year before, my husband graduated from nursing school, things were good. We were both very active in church as youth leaders, my husband was on the board of trustees. Then one day my husband suddenly wanted a divorce, I found out he had been cheating on me with another woman. I lost my marriage, took over a 50% pay cut when I moved back to my home town in another state. He was soon to receive $250,000.00 taxes already paid so we would have been in excellent financial shape. I think God had been protecting me until I was leaning on Him completely before all of this happened to me. So praying whatever it takes is a dangerous but good prayer.
Wow. A dangerous prayer indeed! Thanks for sharing your story.
I have led our prayer ministry at our church for several years and at one point, we were so bombarded that the group of praying warriors had to disband for a couple of years. The Lord taught us well and has strengthened the small band of us that have returned for corporate prayer. Your comments as well as others here are so very true.
Prayer is dangerous, right?
So what are so supposed to pray for? I’m so confused. Praising God and chasing your dreams is tough. I feel like giving up on God. This post crushes my heart cause I don’t know what to pray to God for. So I’m thinking about not praying at all. I want his will to be done but I can’t ask him because I might ruin my life by asking him. I just need help on to what to pray about because I want to do big things but I want God to help get to where I want to be? I have asked those prayers and I’m wondering is it too late to fix my life? Or is there a prayer to undo those prayers that I asked? I don’t know what to do?
Don’t worry about “ruining” your life or getting to where you want to be. Your life will change, perhaps painfully, but change is inevitable, with or without prayer. Prayer does not cause the pain, but helps to deal with it.
Sometimes where you want to be is not where you need to be or where you should be. Then prayer helps us to see that.
I saw something online just the other day. It was in an article on dealing with substance abuse and addiction, but one observation about prayer stood out for me:
“Alternate two prayers – “Help” and “Thank you.” That’s all the spirituality you’ll need for a while.”
(From http://momastery.com/blog/2014/02/03/stop-running-broken-heart-how/)
I think that comment should be helpful to those who have recently posted about their personal crises of faith, as well.
Ben,
These are dangerous Christian prayers, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pray them. It just means that following Jesus is not all bliss. As for what else to pray, just talk to God like you would a very good friend. Tell him everything and anything.
Ben, I think the point is, as we get closer to God he wants us to become a part of the whole plan and we really have so much to be a part of, that are finite reasoning does not grasp it and that is very dangerous. But ultimately we have so much to rejoice in and we will get to see it. But the road is narrow and very dangerous, but Jesus is with us all the way. This is simple, but hope it helps
Yes, prayer is dangerous, but at the same time extremely powerful, we know that Jesus started and ended his day in prayer and he also promised us anything we asked for. Regardless what the final interpretation of that will be, I take him at his word. And I think we all kind of Amen that….
So basically you’re saying that God is a sadistic creep who engages us in intellectual trickery because he’s a lot smarter than we are. You’re probably right of course. It makes perfect sense that my thousands of prayers have led me to hate him with every fiber of my being and he’s given me every reason in the world to.
Ah, no, I didn’t think I was saying that. Ha! But I do know that this is the way many groups present God. I do not believe in a God like that.
You may not have meant to portray Him that way, but that is exactly the sense you have given. There is so much more to walking with God and talking to Him than is presented in your commentary. Jesus said, ‘..in the world you will have tribulation, but I have overcome the world…’ and ‘…come to Me and I will give you rest…’, etc. If He is for us, who can be against us? I used to ask for patience and other attributes scripture said we should have until I realized I didn’t need to ask for something I already had. Love, joy, peace, patience are all part of the nature of God. God wants to make us like Him. If Jesus lives inside us, then those things are available to us without having to ask; we simply practice those attributes. We choose patience instead of frustration or anger. We choose love instead. We choose joy instead. It’s a process. If Jesus lives inside us, then our spirit is always in His presence. We learn to live from the inside out.
God is very scary, but he is the kindest man that has ever lived when he is in the flesh. remember, that’s who you’re talking to.
Jesus is come in the flesh.
It’s interesting to read the words of people who take the time to write a comment just to say they hate God. Why are they on this blog? They are still seeking him, and if you continue to humbly seek him (humbly!) then you will find him again. Why are these prayers dangerous? Because you are asking him to take you blindfolded on a journey where he is the ultimate destination. Some people hate roller coasters and these prayers lead you to the wildest one of all. Always remember that this life with its trials and pain is temporary. “Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Yes!
I’ve prayed all 7 of these type of prayers. I must be a glutton for punishment!
I have been so disappointed in God the past 7 years…I stopped praying. Any side endeavors I had…happen slowly, or cannot do much, because it could affect my health. This is the easiest way to say it. The more I dwell on this, the angrier I can be.
Well, it might be healthiest to stop praying at this point… God won’t mind if you take a break.
“Lord I pray in Jesus name for a break from trials and tribulations for about a week please.”
number one also ruined my life.It was my first all night prayer and as i was a new convert. I had seen christians who had problems relating to others because of their “social status”.I did not want that for myself.I prayed to GOD to humble me and the answer came immediately.I had a vision of a piece of paper with a scriptural verse,James 4:10 .I was so excited after opening my bible and saw that verse I failed to immediatley grasp the problem i was in.Before long i had a plan to sell my house and buy a piece of land and somehow i lost everything and i am now staying in a squatter camp as a tenant. I am now very cautious of my prayers. I wish i had acces to this kind of info before i prayed that prayer.
But God didn’t do that to you. When you prayed that prayer the issue had already been unfolding, you just didn’t see it.
The most dangerous prayer I pray (from time to time) is Psalm 139, ‘search me heart and thoughts,fin out if there is any evil in me…’I pray this with nervous expectation because I realised Im not very keen to always know whats really in my heart,God brings out things I would never associate with myself,things that I need to throw out,its horrifying but so refreshing in the long run.all these prayers bring painful results but like a colonic irrigation procedure (which I imagine is highly uncomfortable) the result is so worth it.thanks for this post.
If we avoid the struggle, we avoid the cure.
I’ve been praying for god to help me trade in every negative thought for one of His good thoughts.. to help my mind stay focused on His goodness and His attributes. To help my ears stay tuned in to His voice and His words.. for the Holy Spirit to bring to rembrance all of Gods instructions and to help me be fruitful in them . To help me do that which brings Him all Honor and glory..to help my heart love the lord with all my heart ,all my soul and all my mind… to help me be mindful of Him in all things said and done first..
So number #5 ruined YOUR life,when Jesus died on the Cross and was resurrected, and when we professed that Jesus is Lord, when we surrendered, didn’t our lives no longer belong to us? Our lives are redeemed, we are born again, and our lives and our bodies, are no longer called our own.
The interesting thing, Tiffany, is that when we believe in Jesus, it is then that our lives truly become our own. Jesus gives our lives back to us so that we can truly and freely follow Him in a relationship.
God does not tempt, and he WILL give us more than we can bare, for it is when we are broken, will we choose to come to him for his strength. He will lift us up. James 1:2-4 NIV. Romans 5:3-4 NIV 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face many trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith Produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not Lacking anything.
3Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Ah yes. These were the sorts of verses that many self-righteous and judgmental Christians quoted at me when I was experiencing some of the deep pain and struggles in my life.
Be very careful about quoting Scripture to people in pain, Tiffany. It never helps.
Thank you for that long-awaited comment approximately thirty years now. I was an atheist and became a Christian and immediately became involved in adultery and drugs and was greatly taken advantage of by people in the church. All I knew is that I was a Christian now and I have felt the Holy Spirit and whatever people didn’t church we all left one another we were all one and I trusted everybody completely. I never imagined that there were people there didn’t they have just grown up in a church and didn’t even maybe ever had felt the Holy Spirit or maybe just believed what they believe because they were brought up that way and I had a terrible time also with the self-righteous type of scripture spouters. Of course most of them had never met an atheist convert before and they had no idea how to even relate to me.
I tried to say we all loved one another and we were all one.
I have prayed all of them at one time or another and my life is indeed upside down and sideways. I’m sure it is good for me in the long run but not at all enjoyable in the moment. My heart is heavy and I am on the verge of serious depression constantly because my relationship with God is not as strong as it should be. I have no one but myself to blame for this and hope that whatever I need to do happens before I am too far gone to be brought back. I may have bit off more than I can chew. Some people say God never gives you more than you can handle but I have yet to find that anywhere in scripture. The scripture people want to misquote about not being tempted with more than you can bear in 1 Corinthians doesn’t say that at all in my study of it. I believe more so it states that when you are tempted by the flesh or the enemy that God has provided a means to bare that temptation with victory. God may not give us more than we can handle unofficially but that doesn’t stop us from continuing to fill up the proverbial plate. Pray for Chris in Iowa and God Bless you all.
You sound exactly like me about 10 years ago. I hated that verse which people quoted at me, because I felt that every day, God gave me more than I could handle.
I think that you are going through a dark night right now. All I can say is that it will not help to blame yourself or to worry that your relationship with God is not where you want. I think that your relationship with God is exactly where He wants it. He will use this darkness to bring you to a place where you know Him better.
will the pain ever end? I need light at the end of the tunnel and it doesn’t feel like it’s going to get here any time soon 🙁 so sad and don’t understand God now. I used to have some faith. not much but enough that i believed and prayed every night. ever since my dad died recently I am wondering if God ever did have a plan in my life. I feel so alone and now without any money. I wish someone could help me. I hear that quote too but I feel like others who say it have great lives and I’m stuck here alone and sad all the time. God has been cruel. I used to believe. Now, not so much. Why be so cruel just to get your closer to Him? tears, lots of tears. 🙁 I don’t think he hears me at all. I don’t feel comforted. I feel alone. physically and spiritually.
Yes, the pain will eventually end. It sounds to me like God is working toward revealing something new about Himself to you. But the first steps of this involve stripping away everything you thought you knew about God. Many people throughout history have experienced this. I have gone through it myself. Some refer to it as “the dark night of the soul.” Like a potter who ruins his pot so that he can reform it and remake it into something better, God is reforming and remaking you into something new. Yes, it hurts, but hang it there!
I found this blog in response to googling for some opinions along these lines. This is the share I made on Facebook and Google+:
[Moderator’s note: This comment was way too long for a normal blog comment, so a condensed version is found below. The original commenter is invited to add a link to his full comment on Facebook or Google+.]
“Christians like our [gifts] in nice, neat packages. But life is not like that, and neither is life with God.” -Jeremy Myers
Unfortunately, those who hear such warnings don’t know how to process God’s character any more than the failed communicator, for even a good communicator can only relate the truth to the degree he understands it. Sin-stained and deceived hearts are not so keen to let God “off the hook” so to speak for the perceived notion he is trying to exonerate himself in the process. Nor should we assume that reverse psychology will work on anyone’s rebellious nature that they should thus disobey the speaker and kneel in prayer, for when one says “don’t pray for patience”, the rebellious nature and the adverse psychology seize such an opportunity to send a false picture of both God and prayer. This fallen world is all too quick to their own detriment to cast aside God as one who is either a fairy tale or an ogre and true ambassadors of the life-giving message and of the God of Creation and the King of Kings MUST do a far better job of understanding the One they proclaim. Before they can tell the “Good News” to others, they must first understand that it truly is Good News. ALL of it is Good News! Rather, it is our hearts that are mischievous and manipulative and deceived. It is we who are malevolent–and thus our sanctimoniously self-centered schemes and perpetually prideful plans are so often 180 degrees from His righteous purposes.
Myers concludes his introduction with these words “this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pray them … we should! It just means that when we pray them, we should watch out!” Yes, “watch and pray. The spirit is willing–but it is our flesh that is weak!” (Mt 26:41 paraphrased).
My intuition one night made me realize that my boyfriend no longer wanted to be in our relationship. For 10 months I prayed “if he isn’t right for me, please let him break up with me”. But we stayed together each time. When I finally realized after 10 months he wasn’t right for me, I prayed “Jesus, I know that he isn’t the right guy for me. Please help us have a peaceful amicle breakup” 3 days later, he broke up with me and it was the most respectful caring breakup I’ve ever experienced. I was very heartbroken Bc even though I prayed for it, I didn’t think it would actually happen. I think the difference of me saying “I now know he isn’t the right guy for me” vs my older prayers of almost asking for a sign, was powerful. I have to admit I sometimes regret asking for that prayer Bc I’m still so hurt and miss him but I know there is a higher power looking out for me.
Thanks, Miche for your testimony <3
Our spirits, or our Holy Spirit tells us many things, and you heard.
With my fiance, I did not seek Abba. (Thank the LORD, he did!) In a way, I guess, in my passive permission of letting him go before, was like your first prayer. Pray forgive me if I was wrong, sister.
I said many hurtful things to him because I feared breakup, and I feared hurting him. (Xd)
We were attacked this year. From misinterpreting "separation" to "breakup", letting him go again, to truly surrendering and trusting Yehovah will reign, we are in a better place then before. It had to be his choice because I wasn't ready to let go, but when I finally gave my fears up to our King, I have peace, faith, and hope either way. I know now my place is with Christ, and I trust his prophecy. My fiance can fight His plan, but my job is to stick with Yeshua until I get an update.
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. —Jesus
“Wow! Anything, Jesus? If I ask for anything in your name and do not doubt in my heart, it will happen?!!” How many Christians really believe that? The typical Christian prayer is asking Jesus to give us a good day, bless our food, thanking him for blessings, and asking him to keep our families safe. Amen.
Why don’t we ask Jesus to place a package with a million bucks inside on our doorstep? Why didn’t we ask Jesus to put a new Porsche in the driveway? Why didn’t we ask Jesus to change our looks to that of a supermodel?
Clergyman: You silly man. Jesus isn’t going to answer those prayers because none of those things are God’s will! Jesus will only answer your prayer if you ask for it in his name, if you do not doubt in your heart, and, if it is his will! Sheesh!
But the Bible passage above doesn’t say anything about it having to be God’s will!
Clergyman: Well, if you read the rest of the Bible, that is what it says.
Ok, well how about if I pray for the following things. They are surely God’s will: Heal all the sick in the world today. Stop all the violence in the world today. End world starvation today.
If I pray for these things they will be done, right?
Clergyman: Silly, silly man. Humans have brought the pain and suffering of sickness, violence, and starvation upon themselves by their willful, sinful acts against God. God allows these things out of his righteous justice. It pains him greatly to watch this suffering day after day, year after year, century after century, millennia after millennia, but his righteousness demands mankind’s punishment. God will not answer those prayers.
Ok, so adults are all wicked and sinful and deserve to suffer sickness, violence, and starvation because they have willfully sinned against God, but what about the little children? Surely God will answer these prayers for children: No child will die of starvation today. No child will die of sickness today.
Clergyman: Silly, silly, silly man. God grieves to see children suffer from starvation and disease but this suffering is the consequence of their ancient ancestors’ wicked sin of eating God’s forbidden fruit.
That doesn’t really seem fair, but…what about this: If children must die by disease and starvation, that is one thing, but surely it isn’t God’s will for little children to be brutally tortured, raped, and murdered. Surely God would answer my prayer for all torture, rape, and murder of little children to stop today so that they can die by natural causes, like disease, war, and starvation, don’t you think? Jesus wouldn’t want a little child to suffer so horribly in such a vile, horrific act when he has the power to stop it, would he?
Clergyman: God’s ways are not our ways, my son.
Dear Reader: So you see friends, Jesus only answers the easy stuff. That is why Christians don’t ask Jesus anything tough. We thank him for healing Aunt Hilda of her sinus infection, but don’t dare ask Jesus to heal the amputees. That would be really rude of us to be so demanding! Jesus only answers the fluff; the kind of stuff that would probably happen anyway… Hmm. They probably would happen anyway… Wait a minute. Maybe… Maybe…Jesus isn’t listening.
Maybe Jesus isn’t there. Ever consider that, dear Christian?
Maybe Jesus is not real. It is possible.
I have considered this often and conclude that I am less of a ‘douchebag’ if I seek to imitate Him than ignore Him and live as I please.
I win!
In order to pray for someone, you need to love them. If you don’t know, it’s really hard to pray.
There is also one thing. Now we have to answer our prayers ourselves.
I don’t know if you ment what you wrote here or it was just a joke. But from my life experience, I can say that since I start going to church, my life became ugly. And more I believed, more I suffered. It’s a dangerous thing. I was a believer before, but I did not read much about religion and it was batter.
In Bible it’s said that more you know, more you’ll pay for disobedience. The ignorant who does bad thing will not be much punished, because he did not know what he was doing. For us, life is bad, we should have not gone to Church and learn , we should have believed in Christ without much knowledge, like kids. Knowledge = unhapines
Thank you for this article. Now so much makes more sense and I was thinking God was mad at me. This helped me change my perspective. I’m currently prego again out of wedlock back slid to a man who abruptly changed his beliefs into something not of God. He declared alligence to the dark side and that I am “too religious”, yet I back slid and now am prego and unwed when I’ve asked for prayer two different times I have been asked which side is my alligence on and if I’m a believer. This dumbfounds me cause I assume they are seeing something on me and have asked if they ate discerning that… No answer is given from them. I know that my redeemer liveth. I know I’ve failed miserably and I know Jesus Christ has saved me and forgiven me of my sins yet I’m not welcome in the Churches in this area or at least I feel that way. Yet I am too religious? No I’m a sinner who’s alive today because of God and my Savior Jesus Christ. I’ve chosen to be a single mom the looks and rumors are horrible. I know the dad and every couple of weeks someone makes a statement in speculation of the dads. Not knowing the abuse I endured and left to protect my kids. I went from degree completion to obscure nobody IN small town America. Took me 20 years to finish the first degree am associates. I’ve been accused of the things I’ve been studying to treat and grew up as an ACOA (adult child of an alcoholic). Life has not been a bowl of cherries. This article shed some light on the why’s I’ve been praying about. Ty, and God bless you
Jesus hear my prayer to you and if it be so your will i ask for a financial miracle, i need so many things for my home and i have debts because i have been old and unable to work due to my age 55 years old, no company wants to hire old seaman. I am unemployed for 16 months and unable to financially support my 3 kids and wife. Help me to have a source of income for my family.
I remember this one time when I was about 15 I asked God to help me see people the way He loves them.
One day I was walking and saw this family. I recall weeping whilst thinking how God loves them so much He sent Jesus for them. A really lightbulb moment. Since then I haven’t stopped smiling at people in the street. Haha quite fun really. God loves us so much
I prayed to be like the prophet Elijah because I wanted to walk with God and leave this earth. But just recently I learn that Elijah was good at obeying orders but did more than God asked him to do and was always tired because of this. Correct me if I am wrong but I think Elijah was a fulltime servent of God, no time for family or other stuff. I am a single mother and I have responsabilities. I would hear the still voice of God asking me to stop what I was doing go somewhere to deliver a message or help in prayer. When I realized what I prayed for I renounce to it. I believe you need to be very specific in prayer. Pray in detail of what you want. Don’t leave any details out.
I do not see any thing bad in those prayers the bible says we should be imitators of Christ that is the work of a christian on earth so don’t run from any thing that bring glory to the Lord thanks
I pray to God that I will sacrifice my life in praying for my pastor .i will be there for he spitiually and physical is that a dangerous prayer?
It could be a very dangerous prayer.
Being there for someone is in itself a form of prayer, but it is dangerous if that person doesn’t want or appreciate your “being there. ” It is dangerous if being there means controlling rather than supporting.
Are you praying for your pastor because he is suffering from a terminal illness or other great personal misfortune, or is it because he does not tend his flock the way you think he should?
How does praying for someone become sacrificing your life?
Proper prayer involves sacrificing not your life but your self, that same self that prevents each of us from coming fully to Life. Sacrificing your self means being there physically and spiritually not just for your pastor, your family or your friends, but for anyone who wants and needs you to be (when you could instead be collecting, counting and guarding all of your stuff and amusing yourself with it, which is what most people are “normally” busy with).
Or did you mean that praying for your pastor might be a lost cause? If that is the case, then there is a perfectly good reason why the cause is lost, which means there’s something you didn’t see, which means you should stop praying, or at least change your prayer.
All of that praying is fraught with the danger of ego. The best thing to do is just to love that pastor as much as you love God and as much as you love yourself. I’m not kidding. Love is the only true and pure prayer. Do absolutely nothing without first making sure that anything you do, you do as lovingly as possible, to everyone concerned.
If there’s a tension within your religious group that needs to be resolved, you can pray for the best possible outcome, but don’t try to tell God what that would be.
I prayed hard for God to let me know if my boyfriend was the one. If he was please give me peace in my heart….if he’s not separate us. Two weeks later we broke up and I moved out. I would love to share my life with a special man and have a family. In my heart I am so ready to be with someone to go through life with. Sometimes I feel like when I pray I end up feeling like God wants me to be alone. I love to have alone time and peace in my solitude but I would also like to share my life with a man who wants to share his with me. I hope God will answer my prayers
I don’t think God wants you to be alone. He may have something for you to do that would be difficult if you were married, but if that’s true He will reveal it. It was years before I felt like the Lord told me who my husband was supposed to be and I’m glad I had the time as a single person to be with the Lord. It’s different when you are married, not in a bad way, but your focus is divided when you have a husband. It takes adjustment to settle in with Him as you were before marriage.
as a follower of jesus christ I am extremely floored by what you have written here. God does not do anything to people. When you pray for these things he helps you to understand them the bad things that happen to you are not from God they are a result of this world and its sin and its owner satan. God gave this world to him long ago and said away with it. I pray that you will understand the way God works in our lives and not go out preaching to people who may not be Christians that God does terrible things to you sometimes
I don’t appreciate you judging me based on sharing my feelings here! That is not ver Christian like. this is supposed to be a safe place to share our feelings and speak with out you judging anyone in this room because you are angered by what I expressed as the topic here is dangerous prayers and how sometimes prayer can make us feel certain ways. I’m fully aware of the evil in the world and maybe it’s not clear but I did not say God does terrible things but rather he creates shifts that can cause me to feel as if I am meant to be alone. Also not preaching to anyone …..you have to realize the way you expressed yourself in your response was not from a place of love or understanding it was simply judging when God says you are not to judge he is the only one who will judge the living and the dead. With that mentality of telling people what the better not do won’t get you into heaven any faster than a sinner. I will certainly pray for you as well that you can soften your heart before you are quick to reply from a bothered state in your mind or annoyance. be blessed in Jesus name and may your heart find peace with other who are different from you.
Kelly, you are replying to Yashuas daughter, but that person was not replying to your comment. It was a comment on the post, not on what you said. Notice the white space below your comment. If the comment was a reply to yours, there would not be white space below your comment, but the reply to your comment would be inset, as yours is under Yashuas daughter’s comment.
Thank you for clarifying….I was wondering why she thought what I said was so bad lol. Thank you and my apologies.
I asked God to open my eyes. To help me see the truth. Im 20 and I was seeking for which religion/God was real.My eyes are wide open. I felt like a blindfold was taken off my eyes. It’s a little scary to see the world for what it is beyond the illusions that the devil has created.
Hello Yani,
You wrote ” I asked God to open my eyes. To help me see the truth. Im 20 and I was seeking for which religion/God was real.”
As it happens, i was just doing that myself, and i hope to turn 65 in a week!
My eyes and reading aren’t like they used to be, so i didn’t notice or pay attention to the forward slash. I read that sentence as “I’m 20 and I was seeking for which religion God was real,” which meant almost the same thing, but with significant differences and implications. I was a bit confused as to which you meant at first, so i tried rearranging your most significant words 3 or 4 different ways. Each attempt produced a different yet equally profound statement!
Was I seeking for the real(the true) religion/God? (or just the one which made me most comfortable?)
Was it (the) real (one), (the) religion/God (in) which I was seeking (on which I had based my life)?
God (is) real. for what (or why) was I seeking?
Was (my) seeking for God real (true, honest,pure)?
All are questions we should never stop asking.
I felt a blindfold being lifted as well, as i read your letter. I won’t bother describing it because it was just yet another in a seemingly endless series, but thank you for writing it!
You also wrote, “It’s a little scary to see the world for what it is beyond the illusions that the devil has created.”
That’s true. But if it’s any consolation, it will change from being scary to only occasionally heartbreaking at worst, as you come to understand where the devil comes from and how it all works.
You seem much older than 20! But then all i see is your spirit.
By the way, thanks for the unintended confusion! : )
How about in the number one position, “Teach me to listen to God instead of to the world.”
That also means listen to God instead of to religious leaders. Pay attention to religious and spiritual leaders, but listen only to GOD.
That’s a good one. Thanks!
The number one dangerous prayer is the sinners prayer or when a sinner repents because the moment he/she does the real battles begin! I remember when I was newly converted a friend of mine told me “… You ready for the battle of your life?” I didnt know what he meant at first but obviously now I do! But I have realized that altho we battle sin, temptation etc. and at times fall flat on our face, I find victory in Christ because THE WAR was already won on the cross.
But yes I have also prayed these 8 or similar prayers and to be honest I was not able to decern that God was answering them I reflect back on each one now.
Praise God!
Blessings everyone.
I’ve realized now that Igot what I asked for in prayer. I told God that I wanted to love him more, rely on Him more. I’ve been through a life these past years. Yes Gods blessed me but these past three 6mos have been brutal that I questioned His love for me. Now I ask for Him to take my life now before I fail Him.
He loves you no matter what. He knows what you are dealing with…He is inside of you. Your spirit is always in His presence. His word says to rejoice and give thanks in everything. Giving thanks puts us in proximity to God. It takes our eyes off the circumstances and puts our focus on Him. We don’t need to thank Him for the problem, but we do thank Him for loving us, and for being with us, and that He is bigger than anything we are faced with. Sing a song to Him. Sing a song that makes Him bigger than your circumstances. Sing Him a love song. Let Him breathe fresh life into your being.
I have a different take that I don’t see posted here- unless I missed it. What if God already knows the trials that are coming and inspires us to pray for what will need to have more of or develop to get thru it, such as faith?
Our Holy Spirit prays for us and prompts us to pray for ourselves and others as needed, always. ;P
God always knows the future and He can indeed inspire us to pray a certain way. He also reveals passages of scripture and sometimes speaks inspiring words through people so that we have promises to hold on to while we are traveling through difficulties.
I asked God to teach me unconditional love! It was great at first but then family, friends and strangers started being mean and down right hateful sometimes and thats when the real test came. I had to forgive and love them through it all. It was hard but I managed to get through it. Now I really pray for people with all my heart and mean every word. Love is very powerful. It mends broken relationships with anybody. My challenge to you all is to call or visit someone you left behind due to an arguement or whatever happened and say I Love You! God is Love!
The hardest time I had in result of a prayer was when I prayed for courage. Sadly enough, I noticed the test, but failed.
This is a very good read for every individual. You have well shared the different and effective prayers of Jesus Christ in your blog.
One day a missionary came and spoke at our church. He gave a message about how he was leading Muslims to Christ in the middle east where he was teaching English. He said since it was illegal to have a bible so he said he just loved these men like Christ loved. At the end of the day, they would say to him Father stay and teach us more no one has ever loved us like this. So I thought I would love to be able to love like this and use it to lead others to christ. So I got down on my knees and prayed for God to teach me to love like Christ loved and that’s when it started less than an hour later I was given the chance to love someone that I would call unlovable like christ loved this man was lying about me to the point it could have ruined my career of 10 years. I failed. I did not show love I wanted to ruin this man but I thought about what I prayed about and chose to bite my tong. I was not nice to him after this. I did not say anything to him what I did was gave him the cold shoulder and would walk away when he came around or would try to talk to me. I never confronted him about it so he had no Idea I overheard everything he said. So I failed to do what I prayed for and that God gave me the opportunity to achieve. If you pray for it God is going to give you every opportunity to learn it.
This made me smile. When I started out on my journey a wise man told me if I ever pray for something for myself, duck 🙂 I prayed for more faith – so God has put me in a position where my life can so easily be trashed and the only thing that is keeping me sane is Gods supply of Faith for me 🙂 God is Good and will give us what we ask for. I think spiritual progression needs challenges so when we ask for progression sometimes the only way to grow it to be given challenges that we overcome.
I can recognize it so much! I prayed for more faith and a unshakable faith, and everything around me started to make no sense, i started doubting everything. Things like was this really of Christ or not. It is very tiring. But know that Jesus lives and that he is working in my life. I feel like he is changing the foundation of my faith but it is very hard. I used to feel Christ in my prayers and church meetings but now it feels like the feeling is gone and it is so hard for me. I used to think i have to feel this or that to know that Jesus is moving but now, just trusting without feeling or whatever is just hard to me. I lost people in my life that I spend a lot of time with and were not good for me after all I believe it is Christ also. But it makes me feel so lonely sometimes and I would think that God does not want me anymore, I feel pride in my heart sometimes and bitterness however some days go better then other days, and sometimes I just feel simply abandoned. But i know that God will revive my faith, just like he did with lazarus who stood up out of the death and the valley of dry bones in ezechiel 37. It is just hard when your in the middle of it, it makes me appreciate a lot more I guess. God is a very good God. I guess it is easy to say that you serve God when you always feel like it or whenever everything is going good according to you or you feel good enough. But when you feel unequipped, prideful, weak of faith it is a different challenge to keep on going on.
Okay then…how should we pray? I clearly get what you are saying. I do. If you ask for faith then god will test you and is you ask for patience god will also test that meaning life will get a lot worst before you see better!
Just talk to God like you talk to anyone else. Prayer is nothing more than talking to God. You don’t need flowery words or a special prayer language. Just talk to God.
Didn’t think about it that way. You’re right. Thank you!
I just can’t approve of the many statements that have been made here. God does not have a baseball. You need to know your God better. He is good, kind, slow to anger and quick to forgive. God is not the author of chaos but he always takes whatever what was intended for evil and uses it for good.
Remember what the bible says “You have an enemy who roams around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour”. It seems to me that most of the people who have replied have been struggling with the Enemy.
God is love. He loves you and would never seek to harm you. He said that he came to “give life, and that more abundantly.” I want everyone here who thinks that prayer to the most loving being in the universe ruined to rethink through all their trials and tribulations in light of a consciousness that God is their omnibenevolent Father who loves, who wants the best for them, who has stated “I am your Righteous God, who supports you with his righteous right hand”. Identify the lies and separate them from the truth.
I think that you should rethink your choice of words, how can you say it ruined your life, is your life here on earth, better than the life you would have in heaven? Would you be willing to die today to say Jesus IS coming back, and he is higher than any of us? I mean you can’t say such things if your a true Christian, this life is preparing us for the next life, and very few will enter, even those at church, becuase the gate is narrow to heaven, and sadly very wide to hell, and what’s sad is many do proclaim God is God, but don’t truly know him, and that is why he says that many will knock and say they professed his name, and told people about him, but half those people he won’t let in, and say he don’t know them, and its sad, because people fail to hear the truth, and believe in what they want, but like in revelations 22 it says if anyone take away or add to this book, and to his words will get even worse punishments than what is written in the whole book, and many do that already by saying God is love, and so God will love gays, and I do not hate gays, nor do I turn them away from me, but it is wrong, and its sad how many people think it is right! And by you saying he ruined your life, is very bad to say, he changed my life, I have lived through alot of this, all because I did ask, and I lived, I am getting through, and its thanks to God, he can get you through anything, all things are possible with him, and that is true, my anxiety and depression have gone down (I am still human), and I just am an all around better person because of him, and you should get rid of your Facebook as well, and devote every hour minute anything you can towards God and Christ, turn the tube off, and just devote it to him, I promise you won’t be sorry, good luck and God bless!!!
Oh my!! I prayed Prayer # 6 a couple nights ago, and since then I’ve had constant doubts. Now I know why. Thank God I found your website.
I don’t remember if I prayed any of these but I most likely have prayed something similar. Last year, my life was right where it needed to be, filled with blessings and I was the happiest I’d been in many years. But since then, I feel God knew I had harder “levels” to pass in order to come on top as who he wanted me to be. He has done so much work in my life this past year which I am thankful for but it took all of my strength. For a while, I felt as if I was in a pit of “bad luck” because I kept getting injury after injury, which was when my anxiety started. I struggled to keep up with sports and after that I developed health anxiety, like a hypochrondriac, and it ruined my life. And anxiety doesn’t stop there. I’ve just felt confused with the whole world, it doesn’t make sense to me. I believe in God with my whole heart but somehow my brain just keeps coming up with more questions. Sometimes life doesn’t seem real to me and I’ve had trouble living in the moment. I pray several times a day for healing mentally, I think I’m going insane. I trust God to deliver me from this mindset but I just don’t know when. It is the most tiring and depleting thing ever living your days like this. Just one day is exhausting when your anxiety and mind taunts you every second. Maybe I just have to ignore my scary thoughts and trust god. Did I ever pray to have more faith? Maybe this is what he will bring out of this. I don’t know. I just pray for the strength and love to carry and motivate me through to better times.
No offense to whoever wrote this….but I think God has more sense and knows what we want to pray for before we ask it.
I also don’t think He will do any more to you than you can bare….He’s looking after each one of us in a very specific and unique way, He won’t ‘send along the Devil’ to teach you humility, etc…
Life brings these things…we respond with scripture, and other times we respond with a short temper…but either way, God is in control and it’s never as bad as we think. And Praying a prayer, no matter what it is, will not impact your life as much as you may think.
That said……’the prayer of a righteous man avails much’…well, can someone explain that to me? Because I really don’t think it means what we think it means.
Cheers
Thanks 🙂 You make me feel normal lol.
I was born into a normal Christian household raised with huge respect for women( proved utter waste of time) and with manners and huge compassion for all creatures.
I became Born Again in 1996 and went from an already sensitive,kind ,caring type to extremely making my already rough life a walking disaster. I have never purposely hurt a soul,not stolen,no criminal record no violence except minor in self defense.
I have been cheated on by not 1, not 4 ,not 7 but 11 separate women the last few I thought may make wife material. I have also had many health problems some undiagnosed and due to this extreme depression which ruined my last two relationships.
Yes god has been good to me so much so that I am PROUD to never wish to stoep foot into an insane asylum I MEANT Christian church ever again. God has hated me for as long as I remember. God created chaos by creating evil and this Luifcer guy,killed millions in floods,fires ,disasters and then his own son.
Goodbye you jealous,egomaniacal, jealous god who requires praise on a constant basis.IF there is a god it is NOT the flawed one I mentioned above of the Bible.
WHO can love a cruel murderous god? NOT I
Ed, I agree with you. The cruel, bloodthirsty god is not the God revealed in Jesus Christ.
Try my book, The Atonement of God to see this.
I don’t want to be a christian anymore if my life is just going to be hell. God made my life rough and if all I want is to know why or how to get through this and I only get crap in return then why pray to a so called God that doesn’t exist or care about me? Please don’t give me that crap about eternity. My life has been hell and nobody else has to go through this. My family won’t help me. I am all alone. I want my life easier and not harder. I don’t get why God had to put me through this. Tired of being told to be positive and to believe. Nobody cares about anybody but themselves. I have a friend that does m issions work and she gets to travel the world. She always has some kind of stupid shit about God she always preaches and praises. I have nothing to praise God about. I am afraid that nothing I do is ever going to change and that God isn’t listening. I feel like I am at fault for my life. I didn’t ask God to take away my family from me. I didn’t ask God to kill off people in my life and leave me without money and always rejected by God. What do you do when you try to learn what God is doing in your life and you don’t get anywhere with it. I can’t ask God to lead me and show me what he wants in my life because I’m just going to have a shitty life? Jesus had a shitty life but oh, doesn’t my friend just get to live a wonderful life. I am homeless by no fault of my own and can’t do anything about it and God isn’t helping me, I can’t see any reason for this to happen and no lesson to learn and I get disappointed every day. I have nobody to talk to because they all tell me to DO SOMETHING, quit moping and stay positive. There is nothing positive about my life. I’m thinking about killing myself. There is just no reason to live. I pray but I can’t figure out why God had to hurt me like this. I’m 25. Can i just die already??? I’m so disappointed in God and in my life and I am starting to wonder what christianity is all about and what life is all about. Or may be I have to have a shitty life while friends can complain about their good paying jobs and I have to listen to it. God is cruel. fml.
Kris,
Please, please, please, if at all possible, go see a counselor as soon as possible! Talk to somebody about what you are feeling and thinking. Don’t talk to those people who just tell you to “quit moping and go do something.” Such advice is not good advice, so don’t talk to them any more. Go see a therapist or a counselor. It is okay to wonder what Christianity is about. It is okay to get mad at God. Just know that there is much to live for and God has not given up on you or abandoned you.
Hey Kris, i have a brother who is so much like you that before i finished reading this i thought it was he who was writing.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with your heart, your mind or your brain. What’s wrong is that you’ve been lied to all of these years. We all have.
It’s difficult to learn to focus on the truth for even a few moments without being distracted. You don’t need to try anything or do anything that anyone else advises you. Just love them, because they’ve gone or are still going through their own personal hells. We’re all in this together, like it or not.
The only prayers you ever need to learn are “Help me!” and “Thank you!!!”
The rest of religion these days is mostly B.S. and often Ph D. (piled higher and deeper).
– Love, as always, my brother(s)!
What about the idea that those struggles are really just to prepare you for the responsibilities associated with the nice things to come?
It seems to me that I become the best at the things I dislike the most because I understand it and can teach others to avoid the placed where I failed.
Im very scared I prayed a prayer asking for no forgiveness I want fogginess I said it in my head and it came out of no where I’m so scared please help
Whatever you said or did in the past, if you believe that Jesus is who he says he is, and trust in him for eternal life, he will accept you. He forgives you Jack, even if you don’t feel anything. If you think he can condemn you because he is who he says he is, then it only makes sense he also has the power to forgive you. Ask, believe and it is done. Read the Gospels. Read what Jesus said. Believe him.
I am bursting out tears I’m so scared
I want help
Yes exactly, one more dangerous thing is we all do is “why …”, yes ask God why this or why that and be ready for the answers
I’m in aww of all of this! I’m 28 y/o and have endlessly searched to feel understood.. I was raised in a home with my mother, step father(as of age 7) and then two younger brothers. I’ve been to church a handful or so of times, and I’ve read children’s books about Christ, growing up. Yet I never actually read the Bible, nor did I knowingly associate with anyone who spoke ‘much’ of God(I’ll get back to this later).. Our home was chaotic! I don’t think anyone ever spoke in a normal tone. There was emotional abuse, and lots of anger. Also, depression(mostly my mom). I was so brokenhearted(between about 9-13)! I would sit back and watch, and knew it was all wrong!!! Yet I couldn’t change anything; I was a child. I would cry out/pray/talk to God often; Though I don’t remember details.. From a very early age, I was always instinctively caring, loving and compassionate.. Even to those whom ‘seemed’ to least deserve it; Those whom hurt me.. I was overwhelmed with compassion & forgiveness for them(still am to everyone), though I didn’t understand why they acted as they did? I could see that ‘mommy’s angry, because mommy’s sad’ Yet I didn’t know why.. I would only open up to very few people in my life, because most often than not, no one listened/seemed to care. I would cry myself to sleep; All alone(I’ll get back to this too) I never quite fit in with friends(Though I was blessed with 2 best friends ~ 15 & 18 yrs long friendship, and still counting 🙂 ) I felt like a follower. I’ve seen/endured many things that hurt me deeply(even things that didn’t personally involve me) that I would sit back and say nothing about, while internally screaming/crying . No one seemed to be bothered by it; Leaving me to wonder, what was wrong with me? At 13, my life forever changed. I took an alley one morning, and ran into a man whom grabbed and choked me at knife point, and repeatedly raped me. During the process, I remembered every detail about him; Wanting to make sure I didn’t miss any info, that could potentially be useful. I was asked my name & other details, that somehow I quickly made up a lie about. I PRAYED SO HARD!!! Please Lord, Let me live, I begged! While holding tight to a cross on a necklace around my neck; Though I wan’t wearing it that day. I don’t remember pain. I couldn’t cry. I couldn’t feel anything. Yet, somehow I knew I was going to live! After some time, he let me go. I right away went to someone and they reported it. I was then basically mocked by the police, and even later found out that they told my mother they didn’t think I was telling the truth. ‘Cause I didn’t cry?! I did a rape kit, and walked out of that hospital pretending it never happened; As if it were a nightmare I had. Though I prayed often, that he wasn’t doing it to any other women.. At about 15 I began to be sexually active; Why wait till marriage now? I was no longer a virgin anyways. I went on to have quite a few partners, but it never went deeper than just ‘sex’ to me. I had built walls so strong/high, that I didn’t think anything could ever get through them! I ended up dropping out of high school and at 16, I finally found a man whom adored me, and he became my best friend(later on, more). I poured/cried my heart out to him, and he listened; I truly felt heard for once in my life!!! Yet, I would shove him away, because it was all so foreign to me. I then somehow changed this caring, loving man, into something that was more comfortable to me(Don’t do it like this; Do it like this) Then at almost 18, I went back to school, got my GED and graduated as a Medical Assistant, with a 3.9; I was determined to be what I wanted to be and get my life back!.. To find out I was pregnant before beginning my career; At 19, we were blessed with a healthy baby boy! And I felt a love that was pure & unconditional; Something I still seemed to long for.. Then, when he was about 6mnths old, we were invited to a house party. I didn’t want to go, but then again I did. I was 19 y/o, and yet I didn’t know how to have fun; I wanted to enjoy myself as others did, but my severe ptsd really prevented that. But I gathered my courage, stepped out of my comfort zone, and went. Little did I know, my life was about to change, yet again. When we went to leave, we were approached with two masked men with guns pulled on us. They robbed us(and at one point groped me), and thank God, took off after getting what they wanted. But I was SO shattered; Again! I spent 6 yrs trying to convince myself that I was safe, yet that ‘faint’ voice I fought so bad, was proved right; This world is unsafe; And Cruel! .. I then isolated myself; Becoming extremely emotionally numb(and lots of other symptoms) Though I couldn’t feel anything, anyone did to me, I somehow felt incredibly sympathetic still to others?! I went on to hide in my comfort zone. Carrying this ‘survivor’ identity; Unable to ‘ever feel’ like a victim, that I actually was. I internally had so much hope, faith, compassion, love and etc. towards others, yet I couldn’t feel any emotions that one may inflict on me? .. I then gave birth to another healthy baby(girl) in 2010. I had a man who loves me & two healthy children; Though I was still broken/incomplete? I would invest HOURS in helping others; For that was the only time I felt pure JOY! And I continued to try and ‘save’ everyone I thought I could. Then one day I started having these ‘physical’ symptoms; Headaches, throat pain, weakness and pain in my arms and legs, nausea, racing heart, extremely fatigued, chest pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite & significant unexplained weight loss.. and I searched for 2 yrs through LOTS of doctor to find any explanation! I even made it to a point that I wondered if God was preparing me for something? Maybe I’m dying? It sure felt like it; So I kept searching, yet every doctor and test, said I was fine. Throughout that pain, I ended up needing to take care of my fiance’s father, that had a surgery that required help, so he stayed with us and I helped him daily, for a few months. Also, helping out other loved ones; Daily! If you’d ask me of something, I wouldn’t say no; I wouldn’t think twice; I’d bear the pain(extreme at times) while helping those around me. Until one day, I was running dry; I didn’t have much left of myself to give; I felt dead, in a sense… So I finally found the courage to tell someone whom I was helping a LOT, that pretty much, I’m tired! I made sure to do it in the most respectful/kind way, though I know I threw them for a loop; It was actually out of character of me, to speak of how I feel; I quit sharing that long ago; Mostly because I didn’t feel it(so I thought) I’ll never forget the reply I got. I expected to be comforted, I guess. For it was someone whom was highly sensitive/emotional; That I’VE PROTECTED with great strength, to shield/build her up, when others weren’t so kind. I’ve even held back my truths, because I knew it would hurt her. I knew I was strong enough to bare it; So I held it in, for the sake of her.. The reply was of how I was being ‘ungrateful’, and making her ‘feel like a piece of gum on the bottom of her shoe’ and lots of other, hurtful things. I felt so devastated in that moment, that everything in my life came crashing down on me, though I knew she was just in defense mode, from her own battles that had nothing to do with me.. I was shattered in a million pieces on the floor, yet I couldn’t stop trying to find something I did wrong. I asked those closest to me, and most shut me out, not wanting to get in the middle. And some others didn’t seem to understand the extent to what I felt; Though I really didn’t share. I spent the next few days, feeling lower than I’ve ever felt before; I felt defeated!!! I was already in so much physical pain, but now MY emotions were finally, after all these years, cut deep into! .. And I hit my knees and cried out to Jesus(Last April) .. I begged to know, who am I? I thought I was a great person, with a tremendous heart; That was not only giving, but it was without judgment, without expectations of anything in return. Though I did feel like God was answering their prayers through me, I never once did it ‘for’ Him; It was purely because it was what brought great joy to me; It was my true inner being and nothing could change that; Until this moment! Why? What good did sacrificing myself for others do, if in the end, I was thought of like THAT?! .. That night, the days after, and still today, He’s shown me my life in ways I never looked at it before! It was “in my deepest wounds that I seen His Glory”.. and He AMAZES ME!!! It was within the moments that I ‘numbed’ out, that I seen & felt Him most!!! And He was showing me! And He hasn’t seemed to stop yet; Though I have continued to pray for Him to do so! I also learned, that He’s known my heart! The comfort in that, is simply amazing! .. Now I look back, and SO many things make sense now; I mean, I grew up with this overwhelming wisdom, compassion, love & etc., yet I thought something was wrong with me.. Now I believe It was HIS story, through ME!!! I am weak, I am sinful, yet by the Grace of God, I believe my soul has been redeemed! .. He also showed me my sins; Most, I wasn’t even aware I was doing. The worst one for me, is the fact that though I prayed, and kept hope & faith that He knew what was best, I still denied Him 🙁 .. Control was all I felt I had left; So I held on tight! I surrendered though, for I know His love is what makes me complete and if it be His will, I’m ready for anything!!! I now feel vulnerable, weak, and sometimes fearful, but I now know that through HIM, I AM STRONG & NOT ALONE!!! .. There’s So many more moments I’d love to share, but this is already a LOT; I’m sorry!!! I’ve somewhat been able to share with some, but not at all like this, so thank YOU; If you got this far 😉 .. My question to yous is, HOW can this be?!?!?! I’m told I have to read His word, in order to feel this? Yet I have very little knowledge of His word; Just a soul that feels like an image of Jesus Christ.. Any insight, please? .. I also want to say, that a lot has changed in my life; Amazing things! And I now seek His word anxiously! I have a lot to make up, and I believe He has great plans through me!
So god and Jesus forgive every bad sin, thoughts and bad prayers?
I even prayed to be banned from heaven I don’t want to go to hell can you be forgiven for this
It came up in my head
I want god to forgive me for it I want to go to heaven
I do also I am in a wheelchair crippled from a stroke I have no home and live in a bad nnursing home I suffer 247 with pain the nursing home doesn’t have my pain mess they don’t do their job
I really want to go to heaven
I need help
Of course God will forgive you! Jesus died for the forgiveness of all sins. You take very seriously what you said in your mind or heart. Just repent of it and then turn your living to Christ. Don’t look back just keep pushing forward. As long as you accept Jesus Christ as your savior you are fine. Just don’t fall away or be double minded. Keep learning and keep pushing forward and he will talk to you more and more and put you at ease. It is lies from the devil. The devil wants you to lose heart. The devils a liar. Turn from your sin and work on living a Godly life. This doesn’t mean your going to be perfect. No one is except Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. You will get better and feel better the more of a relationship you have with him! God wills it!
I prayed for God to take away my fears. He scared me a bit after that.
I asked God to forgive me for a petty prayer I made as a child. I felt a wave of His glory and forgiveness… it was like being switched ‘on’, full of beautiful energy (I don’t know how else to explain it–these feelings make me feel as whole, warm, accepted, loved, and as alive as I ever have.) I still feel guilt over this prayer from time to time, but then I remember that God has forgiven me for my mistake and that He loves me.
My understanding is that the Holy Spirit interprets our prayers for us, and that God hears exactly what we have in our hearts and mean to say to Him. Concerning what Jack Cline posted, and also concerning what many others have posted here: as VaniNY said, God is “good, kind, slow to anger and quick to forgive”. This is a reason why I don’t believe that intrusive prayers will damn you: God will understand that those thoughts aren’t what you actually want, though it may be worth asking Him to show you why you have these intrusive thoughts, and ask Him to, if it is His will, heal you of such things.
I have suffered from great anxieties and depression, but since strengthening my bond and belief in Christ, I have found my anxieties and depression greatly reduced.
God loves you!
Please teach me, what father can give his child a stone if he asks for bread?
Basically, don’t pray to God for anything. He is like Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island. Everything he gives you comes with a catch.
What’s the point?
If you’re going to pray, it certainly shouldn’t be to someone like Mr. Roarke. If that’s your idea of God, you’d be well advised to rethink it.
Don’t think in terms of someone outside of you. More than, yes, but not outside of.
Behind your physical senses, behind the feelings, attitudes and posturings with which you, like the rest of us, build, train and enforce your unique self, is that sensation of pure existence at the very core of your being. That is the ongoing experience, the pure being, of God. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you yourself are God, because each of us has God at our center.
I hope that helps to clear it up a bit.
You sound like a nice person.
That explanation would have made sense to me last year, when it felt like I actually heard God’s voice or instruction or guidance well up from-as you said- inside of me. On at least two different occasions.
I think that was- not delusional- but a result of my buy in to a collectively created God figure. I think if for millions of years people worshipped a rock, the investment of powerful, human energy would endow that rock with certain qualities, even a certain consciousness. I am in the process of giving up this notion of God- a God who knows everything, helps people when they need him, actually loves us no matter what (that unconditionally loving God is not necessarily a Christian notion either). I am sure there are consciousnesses that have more power than me- they may be- like symbiotic bacteria- living within my astral or even physical body. But it’s irrelevant. This planet, the level of harm and exploitation, the fact that the suffering of other creatures is needed for carnivores (many humans) to live tells me that those consciousnesses are not any more interested in answering the prayers of humans than the symbiotic bacteria that help us get by in our bodies. These bacteria do not give us eternal life, they don’t help us make decisions or guide us on peaceful paths. And yes, the God as we know him, or have created him to be is one big Catch 22. The title of this blog post is How Certain Prayers Ruined My Life. I am not interested in a God with whom there is always a catch. You get a prayer answered only to feel mired in another problem. New Agers say we are in a Big Cosmic School. Well, I would prefer not to be in school. I would prefer to be perfect consciousness floating in the ether. And if I did “decide to come here” than I really, want, at birth, to be aware of this decision. It feels like, with “God” that there is always a loop hole. It’s not Him- it’s Me. It’s Us. It’s like the worst boyfriend ever. He never makes a mistake, all of our suffering is our fault- we are flawed and damaged humans- but- that can never be a defense in the Kafka-esque courtroom we are being eternally tried in. I mean, there’s always an excuse. Perhaps the reality simply is that this life we live is really a random, haphazard accident. That would explain so much more, than a conscious “Divine Intention” that always blames very flawed, very ignorant humans every time something goes wrong. Like I said, you seem like a nice person. I am glad God fulfills you. I am glad for that. I am weaning myself off a relationship with a deity that only talks to me sometimes, helps me only when I’m perfect, sinless or contrite about my sisns, reminds me that I am originally defiled and sinful and should be really happy for his love- as I am not unconditionally deserving of it. Jesus, if somebody raised a kid like that, the kid would be in therapy forever. And he is perfect and I should turn to him, but if things don’t get better, it’s my fault. Or his divine will. Jeez- it sounds like every bad boyfriend any one of my friends have ever had. Oh- and later, when I’m dead it all make sense. Like’ “Later, when I hit the jackpot, I swear I’ll pay the light bill.” No… I’m done. But once again I am truly glad you have found your way. And that, for you, is all that should matter.
That’s an interesting observation about worshiping a rock. You may well be right.
You wrote, “You get a prayer answered only to feel mired in another problem.”
Life is pretty much one problem or challenge after another. But that prayer did get answered, didn’t it?
You felt a divine connection twice last year. That’s truly wonderful! But that didn’t mean it would always come easily from then on.
Reading your description of that “relationship with a deity,” at first i thought you were still writing about that worst boyfriend ever. Most people i know have evolved a rather different perception of God. Unfortunately, some people do indeed raise kids the way you describe. It could take a string of lifetimes, if not forever, to get over the damage!
I don’t buy in to a collectively-created God-figure, either. My own understanding of God is more like a collectively-perceived and remembered God-personality. Call it the personality of reality, if you’re more of a pragmatist than a mystic. It’s where we get our own personalities from, developed according to our own, unique combinations of desires, inclinations and needs.
In our subconscious we are all part of that God-personality. “I Am.”
(Something similar is true of “the Devil”, which is another, long story.)
Our understandings of Our Self are, of course, limited by our understandings of our selves.
“I would prefer to be perfect consciousness floating in the ether.”
What would you like to be conscious of, other than the ether? What exactly is that ether, anyway? I think that we already are “consciousness floating in the ether.” Whether perfect or not is another, long discussion. We’ve made a lot of waves for ourselves in that ether over all these years.
Life can’t be an accident unless existence itself is an accident.
But existence can’t be an accident. For an accident to happen, something must already exist for it to happen to. So existence is not an accident, and life must have meaning and purpose.
But it’s hard to wrap your head around all that. It’s somewhat easier and much more satisfying to develop and maintain a perception of that God-personality and -consciousness in myriad actions and manifestations all around and about. There is usually a lot of noise, glitter or pain to distract you from it, but it’s always there.
Totally agree, especially regarding animals. I question the old testament where they made animal sacrifices. Would a compassionate god who designed and created animals condone the suffering of them. Science now knows that we evolved from chimps, there is a fossil record showing when we began walking upright (Lucy). At what point did early humans develop a soul. Did Lucy just wake up one day and have a soul. No, all animals have souls and we eat other souls to survive because the bible has taught us that we are somehow superior to animals, a convenient lie to justify the inhumanity we show to farm animals and other humans as well. How much easier it is to kill a human being after you have shot and watched an innocent deer die in pain and then carved it up. I believe there might be a deity who created the universe and set everything including evolution in motion, but I fear that deity doesn’t have anything to do with what happens on earth, nor does he care, and that we are just like a bunch of ants to him. I am not sorry that I have such a cynical belief, but just look at the world around you, look at the carnage going on in other countries (especially over religion), what does your inner truth tell you?
t cotton i actually think you are right because our motivation is wrong generally it is to meet our own needs or wants like a parent he gives us what will help us mature spiritually that frustrates us.God is loving and caring and knows what is best for us a lot of our disapointment comes from a wrong image of who God is.brentnz
You are so right, don’t pray for anything. Its like the old saying, be careful what you wish for. I had an experience where I was in a terrible job. I asked God on my lunchhour to get me out of there, into a better job. I did not want to be out of a paycheck. To my horror, when I returned from lunch I got fired. I didn’t get another job for months and months which put me in such a bad financial situation, I developed severe depression and anxiety. I believe when we pray, our prayers are intercepted by tricksters or demons.
I prayed for someone that would love me for who I am, and accept that I liked playing music in addition to my business. I prayed hard when this person arrived on the scene that I was doing the right thing thinking about marriage. Then we got married and it was a nightmare beyond belief. I prayed as hard for this as anything ever in my life, and for weeks. After we got married and I learned more about her, I prayed that He would visit her and change her life. I still do that. But no dice. Now I can’t ask God for anything for fear of getting the opposite of what I pray for and I have told him this. I pray for others and ask things for others but not myself, because I am deathly afraid of getting the opposite of what I ask for. I told God this and just said I need help with it and was fearful of even doing that. It feels like He is doing it on purpose.
Oh s**t, I thought I was the only one who has had this experience. Maybe we are just pawns in some alien race’s chess game and we are all plugged into some giant computer terminal. And it does seem that some people have lived charmed lives, they are born into great families who have guided them, given them every opportunity to succeed, have good health, and live to a ripe old age, while others are born into poverty with lousy parents and live miserable lives. Some are in between those scenarios. I believe too, as a general rule, your life will be better if your parents were successful. Its hard to rise above the class/situation you were born into.
Personally i think those specific prayers are a distraction most of the times we pray these prayers because its what we think we need and often thats not the case.The better way is to just trust the holy spirit let him lead i think we miss the awesomeness of doing it Gods way its easy not difficult.The struggle is difficult when we are walking by the flesh and trying to do it our way.When i got to the point where i said to the God i am not going to do it my way anymore and i submit to you because know whats best for me.Change me and when i feel the wrong desires or temptation to walk by the flesh i just say Lord you know i am weak and i cannot live a christian life without you help me.As soon as i do that it is effortless theres no struggle thats how we should grow.I am excited with what God is doing in my life he has opened his word i am seeing the fruit of his life impacting mine and i am changing day by day.I am walking by faith and not slipping back into my old desires i know what it means to be an overcomer sin does not have dominion over me anymore.In myself i cannot boast because it is the power of God at work in my life and i give all the praise back to God.brentnz
I became sick and tired of being one of God’s whipping posts and punching bags long ago.
I’ve all but given up on good things happening for me in this living hell called life. It’s almost as if He expects me to enjoy it and be content with it-but, I assure you I’m NOT!
Now I have to worry about martial law being declared; because if it happens during my lifetime, I’m checking out early.
I have prayed some of those prayers and have come to realize my mistakes. When everything blows up in my face it’s really demoralizing
Seeing the same walking, talking, vile bipedal denizens getting away with their crap is nauseating.
I wish no harm or evil upon anyone; however, knowing that some sort of justice meted out would do wonders for my morale. God does not appear to be in a hurry to let me accomplish some of the things I’d like to do before the world is destroyed.
It feels as if I’m serving a sentence for a crime which I did not commit.
Thanks for the heads-up, I’ll be very mindful of these prayers in the future.
Frank there is no need to be afraid we have the holy spirit he is the one that gives us peace he is the one that calms the storms in our lives without him life is hell as we have to battle it on our own,As christians we are not alone any more he is our helper and the one who empowers us in this life.God is sovereign and he judges fairly those who continue to walk in darkness they will be judged if they do not turn from there sin.Hopefully they will if God wasnt merciful we all would have been condemned praise God for his son Jesus Christ.brentnz
Why doesn’t God show himself and stop the carnage in the middle east which is perpetrated in his name? Answer me that brentnz.
I prayed for Jesus to forgive me of all, cleanse me and take my soul to Him. Will He/can He answer that. I saw Job and the other prophet prayed the same prayer.
I appreciate your article, but I would disagree with your premise. I believe you should pray for all of those things. If we struggle with any of those things mentioned, why would God need to anything “extra” into our life when we’re already struggling with those things already in our life. Besides that, this idea makes God out to be a being up in heaven ready to “get you” whenever you dare ask Him for help. Heaven forbid you ask Him to be a better parent or to improve your marriage.
I wrote about this topic specifically. http://davidthorne.me/dear-christian-its-ok-to-pray-for-patience/
I could not agree more! Hebrew 4:16.
Btw, I posted your comment on my FB page & Twitter! Thanks!
Oops, I meant I posted your blog article on patience to my FB page & Twitter…
I pray for Israel. And God said, Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years” (Genesis 1:14)
christian prayer requests online
I was raised in foster homes since age 10. I suffered abuse and PTSD. The last foster home I was in the parents were very religious Christians. I was having a lot of problems coping with people. Well one day I got in trouble in school and they took my clothes, locked me in a room. They came running in with “holy oil” rubbing my face with it. They cursed me with the “what ever it takes prayer”. It terrified me. They said things you should not say to a child (cancer, broken back, run over,) basically wishing bad things on me to “force” me to get saved. They also said that people usually die if this prayer is prayer on them. I ran away an hour later with no clothes,shoes and refused to go back.
Since then….. My life has been a nightmare. I to this day refuse to step foot in a church. I refuse to be part of something that would wish harm on another person. I lost the only woman I ever loved. Went to prison because of her (didn’t hurt anyone). Lost everything I ever owned. I now live in constant pain and in a wheelchair most of the time. I am so terrified to go outside, I stay in my room all day. I truly believe this prayer\curse ruined my life.
I just wanted people to know.
NEVER do this to anyone!
I will pray for you, Shane Mac. Those people did not know what it was like to have the Holy Ghost. I am truly sorry life had to be this way. Remember that you have a place in this world. Restart your life, you don’t have to go to church, but I recommend going to a Christian church. Nobody is like that. I am very sorry that this happened to you. Going to church will help you, I promise. I will pray for you, Shane. Read the Bible, and study his word. Your life will be better after this.
The way to be saved is to believe in Jesus Christ. I hope to meet you someday. Jesus loves you.
I prayed for desperation to get what I needed accomplished and I got desperation.
Pray for all of those things, but also pray for His mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement… the Lord loves being merciful as He knows we are dust. Pray for protection from evil and evil influence. Pray for His peace.
Thanks for this wisdom, I’m informed now
I was married for 20 years, 2 beautiful children, nice house. Outside looking in we had a perfect amazing life, my uncle even told me once he envied us. But inside, my husband cheated on me all the time, he screamed, yelled at me, threw things, I prayed all the time for my marriage, I loved him and tried to be a good wife. He was seeing a new woman, she was something else, came to our home, the text between them was awful, I was so angry. One day he came home and was going to meet her, I was running to the store before he left, he stood on the porch yelling at me to hurry up he had things to do. I left and was in a car accident, I broke my back and both feet, the man at the sceen called my husband, he showed up with her, even brought her to the hospital. My mom stayed with me at the hospital, he left. I was destroyed. After I came home, he left me there alone, my kids took care of me. I have recovered, mostly, still alot of back pain. That was 5 years ago, but my prayer was, I met another man, who was so nice and treated me like a queen. I prayed to he with this other man, that was wrong, I know. But God did it, I am divorced, and dating this other man, who is so nice to me and my kids, they love him too. I can’t seem to be completely happy because I feel I did something wrong, being divorced, and with another, and I prayed for it. My kids recently told me they used to have secret meetings when Thier dad was yelling and prayed for me to be ok.
That is so touching. You earned that loving man. Going through that, God was testing you, and you have earned eternal happiness. I pray for you to heal completely, and for your family to be happy.
Divorce is permissible in cases of adultery. Matthew 18:3-9. Even though it is talking about the man divorcing his wife, I see no reason why it cannot be applied to the woman having to divorce the husband.
Jesus also said that divorce was a concession made in light of man’s fallenness and his resistance to conform to truth; in your case, it was a concession to your husband’s “hardness of heart.”
Of course, if you had dated or had any sexual relationship with your new husband before you divorced and were remarried, it is something you need to repent and seek forgiveness and trust in God’s mercy in Christ.
In nay case, God has obviously acted with mercy towards you and your children and answered your prayer. Don’t malign the grace of God in Christ with feelings of guilt. You don’t think you’re worthy of the goodness God showed you? You’re right. You’re not. Accept it; you are unworthy and do nothing with the intent of trying to be worthy.
Praise God for his unmerited kindness at the Cross of Christ and move on in the steps of the Holy Spirit, your lead and guide. Psalm 23:2.
The Word of God gives us clear examples of praying for patience. Also patience is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit of God at work in us.
Praying for patience: Colossians 1:9, 11-12 we do not cease to pray for you… May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
I prayed for patience after quitting a job with no notice. Two days later my oldest child died instantly in a car crash. We lost 6 family members that year including my daughter and then my mom had a major stroke 14 months after my daughter died. I received the patience I was seeking but look at the price tag. Now I pray very differently. I pray for others and only offer prayers of thanks for what I have, I never ask for anything for myself.
But once since then, I was asked to give my resignation for a well paying job. Before I walked in to give the resignation, I asked God to help me. While I was giving notice, I received a call about a job opportunity. God does answer prayers but you have to phrase them so that His will be done. The job opportunity was for a homeless shelter where we openly serve the Lord and where I see daily how fortunate I have been and how good God can be and how he can change lives.
By Reading this guide line of dangerous prayer,my life is no longer the same I feel Heaven God teach me your ways I give all my life to you .
Years back I was introduced to a series some people called, “Dangerous Christian Prayers.” I know that Jesus speaks of our worthiness to be His disciples along with, He came not to bring peace, but a sword. Myself, I look at these kind of prayers as the most blessed kind of prayers that any Christian can pray. I have and continue to pray such. The Psalmist say’s, “the earth and all it’s fullness are the lords.” I have suffered greatly in my life. From physical to mental. From gains to loses. The way I see it is that this dwelling place called my flesh and all of it’s possessions is in reality not really mine. My flesh is the temple of the Holy Spirit and all that it was given are His to do as He wills. My body gets afflicted but my spirit never does. The world can take what wealth I have been granted but can never touch the riches which await me in Heaven, which is being with Jesus. I try, (and many times it is hard to do) to search for a positive perspective of any and all situations. I know always that someone, somewhere is dealing with much worse and I see my present situation (no matter how difficult or heartbreaking) to be a prime opportunity to lift that person, people or situation up before the throne of Grace. I think that without a doubt that praying such prayers for oneself can be nothing less than a absolute positive for the Kingdom of Heaven and the Christ like servitude that Christians should have for their fellow man. The Christian life is in no way a easy journey. It is an never ending battle of the mind and heart. Those that complain about God not giving them their way and wants, must learn the consequences of taking up the cross of Christ. Jesus teaches, “what man is there that doesn’t count the cost of the house first prior to building it?” Christianity is the toughest of all relationships, at the same time being the most rewarding.
Good night. My son cursed me yesterday. He has dogs in a room and I told him to remove them and he cursed me. I ask him to leave my house but he would not. He reminded me of my past and said he will go and tell the church. I have changed my life but he will not let me forget it. My daughter also turned on me and told her father things that happen a long time ago. She never cursed me but we are not as close as before. My heart is breaking. I think I hate my son right now. I need prayers for him and the dogs to leave my house. Please help me. I don’t want to hurt the dogs
Please elaborate Jeremy! I am struggling this moment after working all day trying to save my goat and praying for help. Just hard sometimes to understand how prayer works. I just never want to doubt God or blame God again.
Yes, prayer is one of those very difficult subjects. It seems God would be more involved at time that He appears to be. But I think He is actually more involved than we think … just not in the way we want or expect.
I invite you to talk to Him about how you can recognize His work more in your life. He IS working … it is just a matter of seeing where and how.
Thanks Jeremy! I will do that.
Current one….”Help me see people the way that You do.”
Yes! That’s a good dangerous prayer.
Read your article now and oh boy is that so very true!
I am praying for God to be gentle on me now. I can’t learn anymore lessons right now please.
Praying to be gentle is very dangerous! It sounds like you are going through a lot right now.
Is there any way I can help?
Why is it dangerous? Im switching to ‘ have mercy’ now.
Thank God my ram’s temp is down this morning and eating this morning. A vet I dont know from a different area gave advice over phone. I do see that as God’s intervention.
We have severe drought here in SA in certain areas and just been hard.
Glad to hear you are getting some input! Sorry I have been away from a computer for a week or two…
Amen to that in Jesus name amen
Hello Jeremy,
For some time past, I was praying like this, “O Lord Jesus, allow me to be clay in your hands so You can mold me in any way that would suit Your Father’s will, in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
I am not sure whether or not it is safe to pray this prayer. Is it not similar to one of the above eight dangerous prayers?
I prayed the prayer make me more like Jesus which is probably the prayer God loves the most. Most dangerous prayer I ever prayed. I won’t take it back, but I wouldn’t pray it again for nothing! God’s response was to quit work and follow me and He would bless me, bless my children and my children’s children. Two months after that prayer my wife confessed that she had an affair with a man she loved and kept it secret for 15 years after it ended. Did I really need to know about this when I was kept so comfortably in the dark? God’s only response to my prayers was “forgive”. Wasn’t Jesus betrayed by someone he called friend and didn’t He teach about forgiveness. Then He gave me the names of 15 other people that I hadn’t forgiven. I lived off my savings account for 6 years. Then I went into debt to go back to college, at the age of 59, for my second degree which was in nursing. I knew God made a mistake when He thought He could make me into a nurse. I prayed every day ( stressed out) to pass my classes and I did. What I learned was that I had to depend totally on God to pass classes and keep my house. I passed school and became a RN. I went from being a leader as a supervisor to a servant working as a nurse and paying off debts. They say I’m one of their best nurses but God and I know the truth. I’m only here because of Him. It’s been a 15 year “wilderness walk”, 8 years of it spent in depression. What did I learn? I learned how to live with a broken heart, sadness, forgiveness, compassion, how to love unlovable people, humility, obedience to his Word, stopped drinking beer, cured of my sexual addiction. What do I struggle with the most? Faith. You pass a test and the next one is harder. Do God and I define blessings the same way? Why do I still have hope once hope is gone? Before you pray that prayer look at the way the Father treated the Son. I’m still alive, but some days I wish I wasn’t. Does God heal? I once believed so, but now I fear maybe not.
The two most dangerous prayers I think I prayed, was one “to understand jealousy/envy” and two “to understand forgiveness”.
In all truth, I probably have some form of mild aphasia, as some things, seem utterly meaningless to me, and have had to spend more time then I would of liked, trying to understand words and some forms of math(long division is still a bane of my existence, but Geometry since my mid 20’s started to make more sense).
When I prayed to understand “jealousy and envy”, my eyes where opened to all the economic damage that was ever done to me. My heart became filled with bitterness at the spirit of sabotage that seemed to haunt my life depriving me of any well doing. From well doing I should of received as a child but was sabotaged from for one reason or another. Or well doing that should of been mine, by virtue of the legit treasures I acquired, but where either stolen or destroyed.
Then my eyes where open, to how other peoples, used their ill gotten wealth, to make life more miserable to me then it ought to have. I didn’t envy their ill gotten wealth, but it angered me how they used it to prop themselves and their inheritors up(mob families retiring from the mob, move into area and use ill gotten wealth to become “respectable” and other garbage since the 50’s. A certain Senator from my areas is a prime example).
The only “envy” I feel, is towards people who actually where allowed to live their lives. To live, to love, to find some measure of happiness, while my life has been one of ash.
When I prayed to understand forgiveness, all the emotional wounds where made visible and plain to me, all that others had done. Do I hate them and wish evil against them? No.
“But”, if I say the word’s “I forgive you”, what does that change? All it does is allow another to feel to ease, with the evil they have done to me. The wounds still remain and are unhealed, the pain is always there.
Towards others I can’t even begin to comprehend “forgiveness”, as I don’t want to hold ill will towards them in the first place. They where the ones who hurt me, why should I continue to hurt myself, by allowing myself to be filled with such emotions?
Towards God, on some levels it is sinking in, but not really. As I look at those same people, and all the well doing and blessings they enjoyed, resentment towards God crept into my heart. “These people, who did such evil to me, some who where even kin who either mocked me when I starved or endured severe poverty, or literally turned their backs to me while I was being mocked, throughout my childhood to my young adult years, are insanely blessed with good fortune, even their children blessed with good marriages to those far richer, while for your sake I have been cursed with misery and despair to the point of repenting of being created”.
In the end, it forced my to confront the bitter truth that deep down inside I repent in being created; making any praise or worship of the Heavenly Father/God, a complete and total lie.
Coupled with my own experience with prayer “pray for your enemies to see a miracle, for your friends/loved ones to see a tragedy, pray for yourself for great chastisement”: I believe, but I don’t care anymore; I fear, but there is simply no love in my heart.
In the way in which I’m able to obey, I obey, but beyond that I simply never desired eternal life nor salvation, even as a child such thoughts where unfathomable*. The only desire I truly feel is to “get through the day”, and when I die, to rest as the Lazarus in the parable sought to rest, alongside the walls of the rich-man.
So again, what difference does the word “forgiveness” mean? In that, I have no answer and I doubt I ever will.
*Only those that have had a measure of happiness, love or compassion, could imagine an eternal existence and not cringe.
I know of mercy, because I was merciful towards others. I know of compassion, because I have shown care and compassion towards others. I know of justice, because I was Just towards others.
My goodness!! There was a looooot of replies to this post alright. And yes. I totally see what you where saying. When I became a believer I prayed for my family, my sisters and there finances to improve. Yes they sure did! My didn’t though. Lol. Out comes the green eyed winged demon to do battle with. Lol. It, s okay though. I,m nearly over it. Lol. Nearly! Still a few more planks to lay on the bridge.
When you pray Satan also hears your prayers and when you do NOT pray Gods will the devil can answer. Scripture teaches us that If we pray Gods will then he will hear us, consequently if we do NOT pray Gods will he will NOT hear us but Satan does. God says,” Let no man say I am tempted ( tried, tested) of God……it’s the enemy who does that! God does warn us about being tested but it’s never from him.So……..Gods will is always in his scriptures…..pray the WORD ONLY! Avoid prayer chains always….you don’t know how people are going to pray for you! Healing is always of God yet many still pray” If it’s your will Lord, heal me. That’s a prayer of doubt and can cancel out your healing unfortunately! Of course it is Gods will to always heal ( in the Bible Jesus healed them ALL!) Praying for more faith is NOTup to God…it’s up to us….Faith comes by hearing so we have to increase our bible study time . When you ask someone to be in agreement with you then tell them the exact scripture you are believing for….Tell,them if they can NOT be in agreement with that scripture him please do NOT pray for me. AND….be careful who you ask to agree with you…….You need to know where their spiritual maturity is and what they truly believe. AMEN!
Don’t think I know what it is to have God say yes to a pray. After a prayer that God seem to answer yes too, just to pull it away from me at the last moment, I truly loathe myself and God. How lousy must I be that the Blood of Christ does nothing for my prayer life.
I prayed for some rain because we were in a drought. What
I got was a dangerous flood. I prayed for a job and opportunities
and I got so many options I then got so confused and unsure.
This seems to be the way my prayers have been going lately so
it seems like in the prayers we need a gage to adjust the amounts
Does that make any sense?
To be honest, the only prayer I pray is one for God to please kill me because I am so tired and so ready to just die.
Unfortunately, I’m still alive.
Hopefully one day soon, God will smite me and be done with it.
When I read this article’s title, I was so close to being offended – until I read on. I feel compelled to share with you what happened 11 years ago when I prayed for patience. I soon lost almost all of my eyesight to a very rare, genetic optic nerve condition. I was 28 years old. It was completely devastating, and I lost the will to live after only about 6 months of struggling to come to terms with blindness. I drank day and night and became bedridden and emaciated. I isolated myself so that I could just drink myself to death without anyone stopping me. I screamed for God to just heal me and return my vision. Then, my reckoning came. I ended up in a coma with a torn esophagus and a very enlarged heart. I was hospitalized for 33 days in the ICU, and coded 3 times. Each tine, they used the electric paddles and brought me back. My mom sat by my bed around the clock the entire time. She and the cleaning staff prayed over me constantly. After several weeks, I came out of the coma and started showing some improvement. I had a long road ahead, but I was going to make it. One of the cleaning ladies gave my mom a Bible to give to me, saying praying for me had deeply impacted her. I got out, started rehabilitating my life, and in another 2 years, I went to law school. I graduated with honors (all without my sight) and I have always given God all the glory for my recovery and subsequent rebirth as a person and Christian. I have a husband and a beautiful 2 year old daughter. I often think back on my prayers for patience and think, wow Lord, you must’ve known I have to learn things the hard way. I am a better person today than anyone I would’ve been had this not happened. Being blind in this world is the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced to being patient! My family goes to church today – and my husband reads from the Bible I received in the hospital.
What about asking for more of God and less of myself?
Looking back I realize I’ve been foolish in my prayers… I have prayed several of these prayers in the past… My biggest regret is asking him to use me and well he tried to give me my life of abundance, yet I failed him cause I couldn’t receive it for my fear of loosing him in the process…. My fear crippled me into looking to far into the gifts of abundance therefore I may have in fact passed up my blessings to help others, myself, and my family!!! I have many prayers that I regret, yet I’m keeping the faith that he will restore maybe not the blessings but my my salvation! I felt like I lost everything when I realized what had happened! I learn things late sometimes and often times my repentance is delayed. To those whom are obedient to Christ please pray I can convey my truth and receive his Mercy once more….. Please anybody who strives for a more righteous life pray for me . I need to do the same and forgive others whom have wronged me even though I want desperately to sue them for the pain I’ve suffered yet the Bible tells us not to sue… Please Lord allow me to live for you for however many days I have left!!
I prayed expose me lord show me my weakness take all of me out and fill me up with all of you. Hardest 2 years of my life! Also the most growth
But if God puts you through misery and is not there with you in any perceptible fashion, it just seems cruel. What person would do that so someone else?
#3 Was my perdition!
I was basically fresh out of my Master’s degree, with no prospects in my future and started praying St Ignatius de Loyola’s post communion prayer. I’m of Liberal Old Catholic Tradition, and always hoped to devote myself as a pastor/priest, but living in a country where the majority is Roman Catholic and there’s no Seminar for Old Catholics threw a wrench on my plans.
So…a week after I started praying said prayer, I find myself ordained in an Anabaptist Community, and am on my way to establish my own ministry. I had no way on my life….so He gave me one and I thank Him for it.
Prayer is often just speaking to God as if He was/is your best friend/best mate. Of course, we must make time for that prayer. I find a distracted mind, too preoccupied with this, that or the other. Too much booze, PC games, wasting energy on futile pursuits can and often does get in the way of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Two hours on a Sunday morning doesn’t cut it, folks! A quick prayer in the morning and a quick prayer in the evening doesn’t cut it either. In these times, brothers and sisters, we need to dig into the Word, we need genuine Christian friends, we need to put away what hinders our walk with Him, not fear no matter what we have gone thru or even our present circumstances (even a seemingly depressing future?) AND we need to pray, pray and PRAY!
Are you suffering, can’t work, between jobs or just at a loose end? Then use your time wisely! Seek out Jesus Christ.
Your article could not reign more truth! The literal words spoken is what will manifest. People think that God knows really what a person means, but he truly takes the words spoken. I remember praying for patience and boy was life a hell until a friend told me to stop praying for patience. Great job!
My wife prayed: God, teach me humility.
We had just eloped to get away from my mother and other family that ruined our engagement party.
– within ten weeks:
1- my wife got a dui (after having fasted and drinking one glass of wine with dinner)
2- she lost her job (which required her to drive a lot.)
3- then a week later I almost died in a car wreck (I ended up in a coma for a month)
4- both unemployed, we lost our CA home
5- so we moved in to my wife’s childhood bedroom with her Granny back in WV (I’d spend the first two years learning to walk and talk again)
6- after four years I’d get relicensed, rehired and return to CA where covid would destroy the mortgage industry.
7- then we heard her Granny was terribly ill
8- so we flew back to WV (again) only for Granny to pass the evening we arrived (very late) before we woke the next morning
9- in three days my wife’s evil dad and mom had police escort us off the property as they inherited the home since an attorney recently “update Granny’s will” (my wife was removed and her parents were added)
10- so we drove back to CA for a third time.
11,12,13,14,15… (two companies went bankrupt, my wife had me served with divorce docs at my third new job, I know live in OH cleaning toilets and my wife lives with her cousin down the street from “her inheritance”
It feels like:
My wife cursed me
Which changed me
and when she didn’t like who it made me… she left, even divorcing me 4 weeks into “her 6-month gameplan”🤦♂️
🤔Here I thought after she prayed for humility God “gave us both” a huge dose of it!
I thought the point was for us both
(having been broken down completely) to rise up and reclaim everything but this time together!
How’d she not see that everything we went through was God answering her prayer (or him letting the enemy take it away from us) same difference, right?🤦♂️
So does God so anything to improve your character other than by putting you through needless pain and loss of useful resources to help others, hardening you into bitterness hidden behind a smile of denial, and giving you a bit of strength-from-experience which will be useless anyways since you’re supposed to passively rely on him for everything, making any growth attained in the process of your suffering utterly pointless?
What should you pray for if you’re already miserable and really don’t want to be driven to suicide by being repeatedly stress tested until you finally give in for some sick “character development” game?