Wednesday, September 28, 2011

GO BIG OR GO HOME

It's the championship game.

The locker room is still.

Everyone's waiting to hear from the coach.

He comes in and quietly says, "You're either ready to play or you're not. So, go big or go home. That's all I’m going to say."

Huh?

But you see, there's a HUGE message in that very short speech. This is *crunch* time – this is when it counts. Are you ready to lay it all on the line and go for it? Because if you're not, you might as well go home.

I've been thinking about this hypothetical situation the last few days.

Especially as it pertains to my prayers.

A few weeks ago, Sonja talked about praying big. Believing big. Going big with the Lord.

Now I am not talking about health and wealth here.

I don't want to pray for a new car, or to win the lottery, or to have my mortgage paid off (though if someone wanted to do that I might not stop them…just sayin')

I'm talking about the WAY I pray – not so much about the things I pray about.

When I was at the Women of Faith conference a couple of weeks ago, one of the speakers talked about how she was tired of "beggar prayers." She was through with approaching God with pittance petitions in her hands, while sort of apologizing for bothering Him.

It's all got me thinking.

Do I approach God boldly?

He tells me to do that. He's given me the privilege of walking straight through the doors of the throne room, and right up to the very throne. He's given me permission to say, out loud, "Um, excuse me, God. I've got something to talk to You about…"

And, I believe, with a barely suppressed smile, He will answer, "Hmmm. OK, let's hear it, My child."

But I don't often do that.

I come to Him somewhat afraid, somewhat hesitant, somewhat disbelieving that He'll answer any of my prayers.

I come like a beggar –

Now, I'm not talking about throwing respect and awe and humility out the window. Not at all. We are to fear our fearsome God. But, we are not to limit Him either. And I think I limit Him in the way I speak to Him.

Doubting that He is able.

Able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond what I can hope and think.

I limit Him by what I choose to bring to Him in prayer. How often have I neglected to pray over a situation that felt hopeless, or trivial, or unnecessary? How often have I guarded my feelings? How often have I tried to hide my true desires from Him? How often have I stuffed in my pockets the *real* prayers while giving lip service to the prayers I think I "should" be praying?

Case in point…

I have a particular situation in my life that I don't often pray about. Why? Because I just don't have much hope of seeing the situation change. (Such a horrible admission, I know…)

But over the past couple of weeks, I've been so convicted about this.

It's like I'm in the locker room, and God is saying to me:

"You know what, Sharon? You're either ready to follow Me or you're not. And part of following Me is believing in the impossible, tackling the most unlikely situations, being courageous when the odds are totally stacked against you, taking a leap of faith…

I've been known for stunning upset wins. Remember that empty tomb??"

Yes, yes I do.

God was very patient with a man named Gideon, who not once, but twice, threw out a fleece and asked God to show him a sign. God obliged. And a man with only 300 soldiers defeated an entire army.

So, I'm throwing it out there to God – I'm praying about my "impossible" situation.

You see, I have absolutely no desire to go home – so I'm going big.

I'm going to lay it all on the line with the Lord. The hopeless stuff, the trivial stuff, the stuff that I think might be unnecessary to even pray about. He's gonna get it all. My unguarded feelings, my true desires.

I'm emptying my pockets…

The rest is up to Him. In His sovereignty, He either will or will not answer according to His purposes. His good purposes. I'll trust Him for that. But, as for me, I'm not crawling into the throne room anymore like a dog with its tail between its legs (no offense, Marty…)

Nope.

I'm throwing the doors wide open, and I'm marching right up to the throne.

"Hello, God, it's me…"


Do you have some *big* prayers for God?


Thirsty for some Grace?
Join me at Joan's GRACE CAFE:


(I am also linked today with BRAG ON GOD FRIDAY)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

13 comments:

  1. Indeed I do. And I think I'm praying "big" about them. I have thought and thought about it, and I really don't think I'm approaching the throne like a beggar, but if I am, I will truly take your words to heart.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I liked this Sharon; you are so right we need to approach God boldly because he knows what those things are that we don't pray about, but he wants us to pray about them, bring them to him and lay them at his feet. I do pray big prayers and I back them up with Jeremiah 32:27 (I am the Lord, the God of all mankind, nothing is impossible with me). I remind him of that a lot :)

    praying for you!

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  3. I will be praying for you too. I know sometimes life can be so hard. sandie

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think everyone who knows me knows I have a
    BIG prayer that I pray daily for my son. I
    think we are wrong though in making anything
    seem more big than our God. All things are
    possible with Him. Whether it's a cold or
    cancer, He is Healer, Savior, Deliverer.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love your honesty Sharon. I too have some those areas that I sort of skip in prayer.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This post makes me want to stand up and shout! (And I not even a Pentecostal.) :) I have been so guilty of little mundane prayers...if it is your will Lord...I don't know how to pray about this situation Lord...I know you are able to answer, Lord, but will you....

    Yes, he is Sovereign and yes He will answer according to His will but as you said scripture tells us to come boldly. I think of King Hezekiah who prayed that he would not die and God extended his life for 15 years. I think of David who poured out his heart and feelings before God. And can you just imagine some of the prayers of Paul? (Other than those recorded in pages of Scripture.)

    Wonderfully encouraging post, Sharon!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Sharon, thanks for a thought provoking post. It can be really difficult to approach God when the situation looks impossible to us froma physical perspective, but God has recently shown me that we can never out think or out imagine Him, He will always exceed what we believe in Him for, isn't that a great thought? As my faith grows I feel more assured that He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly over what I imagine, and I know my imagination is limited to the physical. But dream big and pray even bigger with faith, knowledge, assurance, love and hope that He cares for you, that He is the lover of your soul and that He has promised and will deliver good to those who trust, wait and hope in Him.

    Be blessed and encouraged this day that God is Almighty and it is His desire to bless and prosper you.

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well how timely is this! Last night as I lay awake in bed, hearing sounds and worrying that someone was breaking in...I felt like God was saying...Why don't you ask Me to give you peace? Why don't you trust Me to protect you? So I prayed right then and there...and I slept like a baby! God is good...

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have missed being here! I promise not to stay away (and self-absorbed) for so long again.

    I came over to tell you that I have been thinking about you during my study of John. You wrote a post a while back about being "jealous" (although I'm sure you used a better word) of other people's callings and service to God. Kind of comparing your service to theirs and feeling like you've come up short somehow. Beth Moore talks about how John likely had those same thoughts as one of the 12 who was not slated for martyrdom.

    I'm not sure why I'm telling you this. Other than, you've been on my mind - and as a result - in my prayers.

    I'm so proud of you for posting your heart today, just like every single other day. Our God is the one who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine - and I have a pretty awesome imagination. We just have to believe...and ask.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yes I do...and I am always reminded by the request of my five year old, that that is how I should approach God. If my human child can think that I can do what he wants for him than why don't I believe the same of my Heavenly Father.

    Beth Moore said one time she always prayers for an Elephant...when she was young she asked God for an elephant to ride to school on...because children pray BIG prayers.

    Blessings as we all extend our prayer life and believe in Him who holds it all in his hands

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Sharon -

    I adored reading this. It was precisely what I need to read this a.m. Thank you, sister warrior.

    Particularly, I love these comments that you expressed, "Able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond what I can hope and think.

    "You know what, Sharon? You're either ready to follow Me or you're not. And part of following Me is believing in the impossible, tackling the most unlikely situations, being courageous when the odds are totally stacked against you, taking a leap of faith…

    "I've been known for stunning upset wins. Remember that empty tomb??""

    Yes, Sharon, GOD'S truth is marching on. Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'll tell you what. This week I've tried to pray more - more often, more detailed, more heartfelt, more honest. I've been talking to God about some of the things that I hold closest to my heart.

    How consoled and encouraged and excited I am to KNOW that the Lord God Almighty has leaned down and listened to EVERY SINGLE WORD. What a privilege!

    I know that He is working in the areas that I'm going *big* with - I might not see the work, but I'm trusting that He is working.

    I know, because you see, I've been to the throne room!

    To echo Sandra's closing comment -

    GOD'S Truth is marching on. Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Blessings Sharon, I never know where to go back and start reading (the most recent or the one way back as you can tell that's where I am)according to GR this is it! Course I may have made a mistake... but let's GO BIG since I already went HOME (to no avail)(not really)(but in the ways that matter most-yeah)... Ok, since I'm the only one (besides God) who knows what I'm talking about... but YES, indeed I have BIG prayers often! and not usually for the BIG stuff except for healings for others... and me.

    I know from reading your writings that you are advancing in your spiritual walk (as least from my humble perspective). I love reading your blog posts so cleverly written and so timely for me! Most poignant!

    Perhaps you write stronger than you speak to God but I see no timidity here. No beggar prayer style (I like that term)... When I began "papa Prayer" from Larry Crabb, I was feeling as if my prayers were perhaps sounding like I come to God like he says and this expressions says, like He's a vending machine.
    Ouch!

    I ask much of Him! He also gives me much! I am ever praiseful and thankful but I think He'd appreciate less petitions (even if they are for others)... I agree with Crabb, we need more relational prayers if we want a relationship.
    Addressing Him as Papa... endearing, and expecting with reverance and respect!

    I love your dialogs with God... and your conclusion knocks it otta the park with a HOMERUN!!! of encouragement from "...so I'm going big..." to your apology to Marty <3.

    I glanced briefly over the comments(since I'm late and trying to hurry (yeah,right?) and I'm with Joan (and some of the others)- this does make me wnat to stand up and shout! And I am Pentecostal! Hallelujah! Truth like this can't be kept hidden under a bushel... it's gotta shine! You are so upfront honest with us. I love it. I'm knocking on that door that you flung wide open and asking for many IMPOSSIBLES!
    Some you know... others, I'm not even sure I know, but I come boldly before Him, in Christ's authority and ask in Jesus Name... for you, for me, for our loved ones... for my beloved blogger friends... Yep, ask, seek, receive ... I'm standing in line for the receiving, may His anointing overflow onto the many that come to His Throne seeking the GO BIG, before we GO HOME
    blessings of the IMPOSSIBLE made Possible by Him.

    Love you...
    Peggy
    (at this rate, I'll never catch up)

    ReplyDelete

"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)