What bold prayers are you praying? Seriously – what are you praying that only God can do? Most of our prayers are very general and lack the need for God. We pray to have a good day. We pray to have enough money. We pray that our kids are happy. But, what are praying for that truly can only happen if for the power and blessing of God Almighty?
What we see in the Bible is people of faith. These people were not perfect, but they trusted God and prayed bold prayers. Whether Moses praying for God to part the sea or Joshua praying for the Sun to Stand Still, these men and women prayed for God to do miracles and He answered. Now, God is not obligated to answer our prayers, but out of His love He invites us to “ask and we will receive.” Matthew 7.
Over the years, I have kept a journal. I have prayed some bold prayers and I have seen God do miracles. From healing people who were not supposed to make it to providing land and buildings when it seemed, there was no hope. God always comes through. It is who He is. While God is not obligated to answer our prayers the way we want, He is obligated to answer our prayers. And, He always does answer when we pray. Sometimes He answers yes, sometimes He answers no and sometimes He answers wait. God is preparing you for what God is preparing for you. So, don’t project your timetable onto God. Pray your bold prayer and watch God answer the way only He can.
Also, your bold prayer needs to be in line with God’s will for your life and for His Kingdom. You don’t just pray for a Ferrari because you want it. God may provide a Prius, but it meets your need for transportation. God promises to take care of you, so pray your bold prayers in line with His Will and watch Him do “immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20. Like any parent, Father God loves to bless His children when they ask.
Today, take out your phone and go to the notes app, or take out a journal and write down your bold prayer. Before you do, ask God to reveal His Will. Ask God to put on your heart a bold prayer so that you can begin praying for His glory. Let me give you some kindling to get your spiritual fire going:
1. Pray for a friend or family to come to know Jesus. Maybe this is a bold prayer because they are far from God, and you think they will never accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. I have a friend who prayed for her grandfather for years, and finally, at the age of 97, he gave his life to Jesus. Then, he went home to heaven just 3 months later. She prayed him into heaven!
2. Pray for a relationship to be healed. Maybe you are estranged from a child, a parent or a friend. Don’t give up on them. Pray for God to do a miracle. Keep praying, texting and believing God can redeem and restore. It might take years, but it can happen.
3. Pray for health. Maybe for you, a child, a parent or a friend. Maybe it has been years of suffering, but God is the Great Physician and Healer. Whether He does it through medicine, a technological breakthrough or just a flat-out miracle, our God can heal. I have seen this first hand – the cancer is gone, the body responds, and a cure is found – but in it all is a bold prayer and a gracious God.
4. Pray for a life-long relationship. Maybe you feel alone or isolated. Ask God to bring meaningful friendships and community into your life. Sign up for a Community Group, a Men’s or Women’s study or find a place to serve. Through this, you will build godly relationships. Pray for God to bring the right people into your life. Recently, my adopted niece got engaged! This was so exciting and the answer to many bold prayers. In fact, she, and her parents, prayed for years and up until a year ago she felt alone and isolated. She’s in her late twenties, but she stayed faithful to God. Her prayer was finally answered. Whether in engagement or friendships, you are never alone with God.
5. Pray for a financial breakthrough. Maybe you have been living paycheck to paycheck. Reorder your finances around godly principles and pray a bold prayer for financial freedom. Sign up for Financial Peace, start a budget and make progress each day. Over time you will see God provide in ways you never dreamed or imagined.
6. Pray for spiritual growth and depth. Maybe you have felt stagnant spiritually. Pray a bold prayer for more of God. And, hold on. Reorder your day around spending time with Him, reading His Word, prioritizing church, being generous and watching God draw you closer to His heart than you ever imagined. This is where you feel so spiritually alive.
What bold prayer are you praying? Where there is God, there is a miracle waiting to happen. Many times we don’t see miracles because we are not asking for them or looking. Pray bold prayers and watch God work. He is truly always moving, and He is inviting us to join Him on this journey of a lifetime. I love praying bold prayers. It’s risky, but this is where your faith grows. So, let’s go on this adventure together and ask God for miracles. Come, Lord Jesus! Pray bold prayers!