The Most Dangerous Prayer

Hi friends! I'm still traveling! Here's a post I wrote in November of 2007 that is still so relevant. :-)

It’s birthed in the deepest recesses of our hearts, then moves with our silent yearnings to the hidden places in our thoughts. We dare to think it, until we finally submit and give words to this most dangerous prayer.

“Lord, do whatever it takes to bring my husband/wife to Christ.”

Among the unequally yoked there is an unspoken enormity to this prayer. And we understand the journey it takes deep within ourselves to finally speak it—to pray it with sincerity, knowing full well we have no idea what we may have unleashed. It comes from a place of near desperation and complete trust in God.

We are willing to risk it all.

At times the urgency of this prayer fills me with such desperation that I can hardly breath. And when I am overcome by it, God tells me this is just the minutest fraction of what he feels for my husband.

Can you imagine?

Can you imagine a love that wild and all consuming? Then I realized that God feels that way about us and pursued us then just as He is pursuing our loved ones now. (Talk about really leaving a girl breathless!)

That kind of love never fails. It’s always there, protecting and watching. He’s got our backs. (Isaiah 58:8). We just have to trust him and let go of our expectations, preconceived ideas, and fears. He will equip us to handle whatever comes. (I’m listening to those words as much as you are.)

Amazingly, I’m the one who’s been changed the most by this prayer. At first what I thought to be terribly unfair now appears to be part of a grand plan. A time of preparation. With each pruning, I find myself more and more grateful, and humbled. (There’s hope for me yet.)

Perhaps it makes a difference knowing the outcome—God gave me a glimpse of what’s to come several years ago. Or perhaps it has more to do with how He has strengthened my trust and reliance on him. He’s shown me my fallen-ness. I have no choice.

What are you willing to risk for your unbelieving spouse to know Jesus? What are you willing to pray for that loved one? Are you willing to walk into the unknown realm of God’s will, and trust him completely with the outcome, no matter how you’re affected in the process? It’s a scary question, I know!

When I worry what this prayer will cost me, I remind myself that God will equip me for whatever comes. That’s been the whole point of this time of preparation. And then I remember that He made the greatest sacrifice. He already paid the highest cost of all with his Son. And nothing I could lose can compare to that.

Praying and believing,
Dineen

Comments

[Noreen]

So incredibly powerful Dineen but so true.
We all need to give over our husbands and be willing to pay the price, nothing is too much, to see them come to Christ.
Blessings & love,
Noreen

[Peggy]

OK Dineen...this is too deep and powerful for me to be reading this late at night. I'll be back! But with you and Lynn traveling who's taking care of SUM!!!(lol)

Lynn & Dineen...when you get a chance...
Stop by and visit with me this week... there will be something special waiting for you. Again!!!

It's in my Tues. August 12th. You are in the 1st numbered group besides my Sharing the Love and Friendship. So is ALL of 1 Peter 3 Living for those!!!

Dineen...do you want me to list and write at
Kittens Come From Eggs also?

Bless you both and your loved ones! May God's hand be upon you! may HE KEEP YOU!

[Tamara]

yes it is true for us unequally yoked spouses to pray: whatever it takes Lord I will go and walk Your path to help our mates become children of God - but it isnt only for us - it is always in a christians life - I have "wrestled" with God about this for a long time and He has finally showed me: we all have a backpack to carry and we all have a calling from Him - the question is: are we willing to say yes? a dear and loving preachers son - 18 years old - was killed last week in a car accident - what is worse: to wait 30 years for your hubby to repent or to stand at the grave of your child? it showed me very clearly and very sternly: our God is the GREAT I AM. My soul totally responds to lynns mail and yours Dineen - I am so thankful that we can speak so openly, that we can carry each other in words and prayer so lovinly and that we are all sisters/brothers in faith! hugs in Christ love, Tamara

[Lynn]

Hi Dineen,

I am praying this prayer. Hoping and believing - trusting. Love you.