What if Prayer...?

We live amidst a stark dichotomy of Low Expectations and High Expectations.
Consider your weekly trip to Wal-Mart.
I go in with high expectations of the lowest prices, fully stocked shelves and finding whatever it is I need, however odd or absurd. So when my favorite cereal jumps to $4 a box, there's no Jiffy Corn Bread mix on the shelf at all (this has happened twice!), and there's not a 1-1/2" to 1-1/4" sink drain reducer kit in the entire building, I become enraged to the point of declaring, "I'm never shopping here again!"

During the same visit, I maintain very low expectations regarding customer service. I do not anticipate to see a friendly face beyond the octogenarian who greets me at the door. I do not expect there to be anyone in the "Do-It-Yourself" department who has a clue what a drain pipe reducer kit is. I do not expect to find a completely vacant check-out aisle. So when I am frantically searching for the vital plumbing accessories and a smiling, helpful young man informs me that I should consider relocating my search to Lowe's, and I find a check-out lady waiting cheerfully for me to enter an empty lane, I become ecstatic and declare, "Why would I ever shop anywhere else!"

I listened to a great sermon on prayer recently that presented me with this terrifying possibility: I enter prayer with this same Low V. High Expectation silliness just about every day.

When it comes to what I want God to do for me, expectations run high. Less stress, more peace, a little more money would be nice, heal all the sick people, keep me and mine safe, and while you're at it, a little more money would be nice...did I already mention that?

But when it comes to Kingdom stuff, the kinds of things God is already doing and wants to do more of, I don't expect much at all. I fail to pray for renewal in my church family, spiritual revolution in my town, broken relationships restored, the lost being saved, and the boldness in me to be right in the middle of all this.

What if prayer less about hoping everything works out ok and more about expecting Almighty God to do great things among us?
What if God is just daring me to pray bigger?

"Come on Adam, I can keep your family safe on your road trip with my eyes closed - especially if you all buckle up and Dad drives the speed limit. Give me something hard. Give me something that will cause me to be noticed. I want to get caught being awesome, not relegated to tasks that barely require my infinite attention."

I don't know about you, but I don't often pray anything that if God answers it, people will sit up and take notice.
I don't often pray in such a way that if God answers it, my own faith and boldness will be tested.
Maybe its time I start.