A Dangerous Prayer

“Awake, north wind, and come, south wind!  Blow on my garden (heart), that its fragrance may spread abroad…”  SOS 4:16

This verse is a turning point in the song.
The bride cries out to fully embrace all that Jesus has for her. 
This is a radical prayer she prays. 

She prays for the north winds to come to blow upon her garden heart. 

I have lived in the north and have felt the north winds blow in the winter.  Cold, blustery, ice or snow blown bitter winds that seem to slash the skin.  In the natural, I have NEVER invited the north winds to blow.

Misty Edwards, a worship leader at IHOP-KC has a song entitled, Fling Wide, in which she cries out these words from Song of Solomon 4:16.  I have been in seasons when I just cannot sing those lyrics, because my heart is not ready to receive the north winds. 

The north winds are those of testing; adversity; difficulty.  Who prays for this?  Those who are willing and ready to embrace the storms that teach them how to walk by faith and not by feelings, which produce a sweet fragrance of Christ.  These are the seasons in life that press us deeper into the confidence of who Jesus is and His desire for us.  It is when we say, “Jesus, you are my heart’s fullest desire. I want Your fragrance to spread NO MATTER THE COST.” 

Most of us would say that we love the south winds blowing!  South winds speak of refreshing winds of blessing that bring comfort and strength. They produce warmness in the air.  I love the south winds. J  I pray that the Lord would bring those in the natural, especially as the brutality of winter is almost over.  I will cry out “Please send the south winds that bring comfort and warmth and bring the changing season”.  The south winds are those that encourage and refresh the soul.  The south winds are necessary so we are able to withstand the north winds. 

Both winds from heaven play roles in the bride becoming a fragrant garden for Jesus.  God knows the exact amount of pressure we need to help complete the garden of the heart prepared for the Lord. 

What a brave prayer the Shulamite prays. She is basically saying, “God, I am Yours and I give You full permission to do whatever brings pleasure to You in my life. Because I love You, I invite You to come and bring any shaking that needs to be shaken in my life.  Come and change my heart.”  She knows she can trust Jesus.  She can trust His leadership over her life.  There is history in their relationship.  She can put her confidence in Her Beloved. 

What about you?  Have you prayed dangerous prayers? 

It takes boldness and knowledge of Jesus to pray this way.

Let the words from Misty’s song be your prayer to the Lord, inviting His winds to blow so your heart becomes fully His.

Misty Edwards lyrics to , “Fling Wide” (click on her name to listen to the song on youtube)

Awake, awake, oh north wind
Awake, awake, oh south wind; blow over me
Come, oh winds of testing
Come, winds of refreshing; blow over me

Let the winds blow, let the winds blow (7x)
Let the winds blow

Fling wide the door to my soul
Open up the door to my heart
Have your way, have your way
Have your way, yeah

I won’t be afraid; I will face the wind
I won’t be afraid; I’ll embrace the flame

Let the winds blow, let the winds blow (7x)
Let the winds blow

Fling wide the door to my soul
Open up the door to my heart
Have your way, have your way
Have your way, yeah

Take me through the fire, take me through the rain
Take me through the testing, I’ll do anything
Test me, try me, prove me, refine me like the gold
Like the gold 

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