Dangerous Prayers
Last night at Bible study I was asked by one of the members for some suggestions on prayers they should do. They then rattled off a litany of litanies and other prayers, to which I responded that perhaps just talking to God, speaking from the heart, is something they should incorporate more into their spiritual life.
“Oh I do that all the time, too”.
Strike and a miss on my part. Then I remembered something; a category of prayers I like to call “Dangerous”.
"Dangerous prayers" are those that challenge us, transform us, and often lead to unexpected, sometimes difficult, spiritual growth. While changes are we won’t get those winning lotto numbers in our prayers, these seem to always be answered by God. That is another reason I call them dangerous. Pray these prayers and they WILL be answered, and like pruning to foliage, it can be a painful process. And even then, do we REALLY know what we are asking God to do in our lives?
We often ask God to “use us,” to “make us holy,” to “lead us deeper,” but do we really know what we’re inviting? These are dangerous prayers. Not because God is cruel, but because He is real. And when He answers, it usually looks nothing like what we expect. Loss. Silence. A hard truth. An uncomfortable calling. A severing. A refining.
There’s something noble about comfortless faith—faith that kneels in ash instead of glory. That image—those worn crosses looming in the fog behind him—it reminded me that this is the battlefield of sanctity. Not the stage. Not the spotlight. But the solitude of surrender.
I remember years ago coming across the Litany of Humility, which kickstarted this whole notion of dangerous prayers. I was sitting in a pew in a chapel in Cincinnati, OH just staring at the words in my Manual of Prayers. I read the words slowly in my head, not daring to fully take in the words and the meaning less I trigger some divine machine and get the gears of humility rolling. It was almost like not daring to look directly at the sun. Finally I took a deep breath and actually prayed it.
I like to think it led me to being more humble. I can’t say I am humble, but I’m probably closer now than I was when I first encountered it. And that’s the point. Dangerous prayers ultimately are truly dangerous not to you, but to all your spiritual foes who prowl about seeking your ruin. So close your eyes, take a deep breath and get ready for your life to change for the holier.
DANGEROUS PRAYERS
**Litany of Humility**
*"O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.*
From the desire of being esteemed, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the desire of being loved, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the desire of being extolled, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the desire of being honored, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the desire of being praised, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the desire of being preferred to others, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the desire of being consulted, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the desire of being approved, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the fear of being humiliated, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the fear of being despised, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the fear of suffering rebukes, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the fear of being calumniated, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the fear of being forgotten, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the fear of being ridiculed, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the fear of being wronged, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
From the fear of being suspected, **deliver me, O Jesus.**
That others may be loved more than I, **Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.**
That others may be esteemed more than I, **Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.**
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, **Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.**
That others may be chosen and I set aside, **Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.**
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, **Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.**
That others may be preferred to me in everything, **Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.**
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, **Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.**
Amen."
**Prayer of Surrender**
*"Lord, I surrender everything to You. My plans, my fears, my desires—I lay them at Your feet. Lead me where You will, even if the path is unknown to me. I trust You in the uncertainty. Take control, mold me, and guide me according to Your perfect will."*
---
**Prayer for Patience**
*"Father, teach me patience—not just in the moments that are easy, but in the ones that stretch my heart and test my spirit. Help me to wait with grace, to trust without frustration, and to embrace the timing You have set. Give me endurance when life feels slow, and peace when delays feel unbearable."*
---
**Prayer for Forgiveness**
*"God, I carry wounds in my heart that I struggle to release. Help me to forgive, even when the pain feels fresh. Remove resentment, soften my spirit, and remind me that forgiveness is a gift—not just for others, but for my own healing. Just as You have forgiven me, may I extend grace to those who have hurt me."*
---
**Prayer for Boldness**
*"Lord, give me boldness to speak truth, even when it is difficult. Strengthen me to stand firm in faith, unwavering in conviction, and fearless in love. Let my words carry wisdom, my actions reflect courage, and my heart never shy away from what is right."*
---
**Prayer for Breaking Pride**
*"Father, strip away my pride, my self-righteousness, my need to be seen and acknowledged. Humble me in ways that reshape my character. Help me find joy in serving rather than being exalted. Teach me to seek Your glory over my own."*
---
**Prayer for God’s Will, Not Mine**
*"God, I confess that I have dreams, goals, and desires—but above all, I want Yours. If my plans do not align with Your purpose, redirect me. If my heart clings to things that do not honor You, change me. I trust that Your way is higher, Your wisdom greater, and Your love unfailing."*
---
**Prayer for Refinement**
*"Lord, refine me like gold in the fire. Purify my heart, cleanse my thoughts, and shape me into who You have created me to be. Though trials may come, let them strengthen rather than break me. Teach me perseverance, deepen my faith, and draw me closer to You."*
