Prayer Requests

I have been thinking a lot about prayer. About what we pray about. I have noticed a theme that has convicted me recently.

Think about the following prayer:

Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for your love and forgiveness. Thank you for loving me and giving me eternal life. Help me to honor and glorify you in my life.
Lord, I pray you keep us safe as we travel tonight. Watch over us and suround us with your hedge of protection. I pray that "xxx's" upcoming surgery is smooth and he has a rapid recovery with minimum pain...

Do you see it?

Safety. Keep us safe. Protect us.

So what's wrong with that?

Well, I don't think we are really praying for safety. If we are His children, the sheep of His pasture, what safer place could we be in than in the palm of his hand? After all, "... no one will snatch them out of My hand." John 10:28
So what are we praying for then?

I think we are praying for comfort. Lord, keep me comfortable. I want to honor and glorify You with my life as long as I am not too hot or too cold or in pain or experiencing some extended illness. I don't want any part of that but I want to honor and glorify You. Really I do...

Really?

What if an accident on the way home is going to glorify Him? What if experiencing extended illness will glorify Him? What if loosing everything glorifies Him? What if adopting a child with severe emotional issues glorifies Him?
What if...
What if...
What if...

"Keep us safe, Lord," really means protect my comfort, doesn't it?

"I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world." John 16:33

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
Romans 8:15

I submit that this is not who we are supposed to be. We are to be strong and courageous. This specific command is heard over and over in the Bible.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Is there something you are supposed to be strong and courageous about today?
What are you staring down the barrel of?
Asking protection from?
I challenge you to remember who your Father is and change your perspective.
Stop focusing on safety and start committing to the honoring and glorifying.
Lest you feel judged, the above was my prayer, remember.
I challenge myself to do the same.