Bold PrayersНамуна

Here Am I. Send Me!

Uh oh. Today’s dangerous prayer is the “send me” prayer. We’re all about to go from comfy couch to hot Sahara desert in sixty seconds. Or, maybe not. In fact, if you’re worried about praying the “send me” prayer because you’re afraid God might banish you to some far-away country, then fear not. God is probably not going to send you to a distant land.

Like many of us, you’re probably not ready for something like that. I can’t speak for God, but for starters, I bet He’d be happy with sending most of our recliner-shaped rear ends across the street to meet our neighbors. Read that last sentence again, and smile about God’s patience.

“Send me” means leaving the me-circle we talked about on day one. This prayer is about asking God to send us out of our will and into His. Oh, and just because God won’t send you somewhere until He’s ready, doesn’t mean you’ll feel like you’re ready. Look at the disciples. They were fishermen-turned-pastors, and they did and said some really slimy and sloppy things in their first few years. Peter lopped off one soldier’s ear before denying Christ to another. Then, a few weeks later, he boldly spoke to a crowd of thousands and led them to start the Christian church.

Today’s prayer is inspired by Isaiah 6:8 (NIV). The prophet Isaiah had just experienced the voice of the Lord asking who would go and be a messenger to spread His word to His people. Isaiah responded with, Here am I. Send Me! Isaiah had to have a vision to be sent by God. We don’t. Jesus used His last words on this earth to ask us to be His messengers to all people. The Great Commission is our send off. When we pray, “Send me,” we’re not asking for a new mission—we’re accepting the one He already gave us. Like Peter, we may make mistakes, but we’ve already been sent. Let’s get going!

Pray: Jesus, Peter was just a fisherman, and I’m just a ________. But, I’m accepting the Great Commission you called me to. I’m going to need the Holy Spirit to give me the bravery and strength to pull it off. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Where do You want me? Amen.