Dangerous Questions/Prayers

Do you ever find yourself getting into one of those ruts in life, you just do the same thing, have the same routine, etc? This happens to me from time to time, and I have learned over time some helpful ways to get out of this rut.

One of those ways is to begin asking God some dangerous questions. What do I mean by dangerous? By dangerous I mean something that will drastically change your current way of living.

A dangerous question is one that will break that status quo you are in.

A dangerous question is one that will propel you closer to God, provided you are open to however God wants to answer that question.

A dangerous question fights to get below the surface level, to the heart of what God wants to do in your life.

Almost a month ago now, I came across a phrase in a song by Hillsong that I have turned into a prayer for my life. In the song Hosanna, I found the phrase, "Break my heart for what breaks Yours" and it completely captured my attention. I began praying this dangerous prayer and have had my life completely wrecked by God in the process.

My heart has been captured by the plight of people in third world countries who are experiencing extreme poverty. Now, I work with people who are less fortunate than most in this country. However, if you look at the rest of the world, even our poor in the U.S. often times are much better off than most of the rest of the world. Most people in our country have no idea about true poverty, life ending poverty. It's an outrageous disgrace that there are literally thousands of people dying every day simply because they lack access to clean water! In this country we cry and moan if we can't have the latest style of clothing or newest electronic gadget when they first come out. Honestly, we are spoiled brats! Is that harsh? Tell that to the child who's parent just died from a HIV/Aids. Tell that to the parent who just lost their child because of a disease picked up from a contaminated water source.

I am as materialistic as they come. I have fought this most of my life. The last thing on my mind is to make people feel bad for having more things (toys) than they need. I certainly fall into that category. I simply want to challenge the way we think here in America. We don't have to take on a vow of poverty to change the world we live in. If each of us were to perform one small act of kindness (child sponsorship, donate towards clean water initiatives, etc.) this world would see a drastic change. Statistics show that in villages where clean water is introduced the mortality rate is cut in half! Simply from adding clean water!

As professing Christians, something must change in us. We cannot continue along this path, where we hoard all the wealth while people starve to death, die from preventable illnesses, die from things that could easily be prevented. How can we as Christians continue to find this acceptable when God clearly cares for the poor, and has a heart for them as we see in His word? The Amplified Bible states in Deuteronomy 15:11 "For the poor will never cease out of the land; therefore I command you, You shall open wide your hands to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor in your land." How many of us can say our hands are open wide to the needy? How many of us can simply say that our hands are even open a little bit to the needy?

As you can tell, my dangerous question/prayer did some major damage in my life. I am not yet sure exactly what purpose God has on this journey He is taking me, but I do know that I am walking closer and closer to Him every single day because of this. I have gained a new weapon against my sinful struggle with materialism, and that's remembering, praying for, and doing whatever I can to help those in need.

What dangerous questions have you been asking lately? Have you been asking any? Take this leap of faith, and watch your passion for God explode in the process!