Resurrection Care

As part of the sermon yesterday, I shared a prayer that has challenged and inspired me over the years.  I have come to call it the “Dangerous Prayer.” 

Lord, don’t give me rest.
Give me tasks to do, O Lord, big ones, long ones,
time consuming ones, challenging ones.
Give me jobs that look all but impossible, give me assignments
that others don’t think I can handle.
Give me projects that I cannot finish in a day but must set aside at evening
and sleep on and anticipate for tomorrow.
Give me work I’m not quite sure how to do, Lord, and give me deadlines
and give me people standing there impatiently wanting for the result
— discriminating people who expect it to be right
and who need it very much.
Give me all this today, Lord, and then tomorrow give me more tasks
just as tough or tougher.
All this give me, Lord, instead of rest, because I want to learn, to grow, to be of value,
to accomplish, to have purpose and to anticipate all my tomorrows.
Amen. 

I would like to add a couple of thoughts for you to consider.  First, let’s talk about what is most inspiring to me and perhaps to you. Just the whole idea that the writer is saying, “God I love life today and I really want to live fully.”  That is what I hear when the author says, “Lord, don’t give me rest.” 

The next few lines give that same emphasis. My paraphrase might be, “I love to be challenged by new ideas and love learning, so bring it on, God.  Plus, I’d like to be part of something that is bigger than myself and anything I could do alone.  Help me find my place and contribute everyday.”

The last part of the prayer is the best for me because it tells the “why” of the prayer.  The person wants her/his life to be of value and to be able to look back saying “This has been so good, God.  Better than anything I would have expected.”

As I have read this prayer over and over for years, I wanted God to be guiding me in all the major decisions, leading me through doors that I might not want to see or walk through because of fear or stubbornness. 

Even as I have been encouraged by the words over the years, I want to issue a critique about the prayer, also. Actually, this is why I call it the “Dangerous Prayer.”  I think it is important to know that God does want us to rest and be renewed.  If you were at church this weekend, during the sermon you heard me talk about how important the quiet times are: the times when we slow down to hear God’s voice.  Plus, we have to have rest so we can think clearly and do our best in life.  So, I’d add a little phrasing to your own prayers.  It might be something like, “Let me have all this and good sleep at night.  Plus, let me not forget to play and rejoice with those I love because I need to be renewed, restored and in good relationship with family and friends.”

Lastly, and on a positive note, I named it the “Dangerous Prayer” because it has opened up my heart and eyes to the possibility of doing things that I might not otherwise consider.  God has plans for us that we need to consider!

FYI, I was given this prayer with no author’s name attached.