10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
Pray big, Pray bold. It's an idea that has recently presented itself to me more than once lately, and in completely different circumstances. I don't believe it is merely "coincidence".
Proverbs 28:1(NIV)
28 The wicked flee though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Ephesians 3:20(NIV)
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
I pray, and I pray often. I pray that I make it to work on time. I pray that my children will not drive me mad that day. I pray that I will have enough money to pay a bill, or enough leniency from the collector to wait until I have enough money. I pray for some small things, and some larger things. But the idea of praying big and praying boldly hasn't been an attitude that I've held. Until recently. Certainly, praying for the small things is fine. And certainly, God hears my prayers, and answers them just the same. But He is a God capable of moving mountains, not limited to just changing a stoplight to green so I make it to work on time! He is a capable of unbelievable feats, capable of the unimaginable. Why am I limiting my requests to things that are so easy? Why am I not giving him my prayers that only a truly awesome God could possibly be capable of answering? Why not give Him a chance to show his might, to demonstrate his glory? I have some huge desires, huge needs, that I've kept wrapped up in my own head, and never thought of throwing them at his feet in prayer. Why is that?
Many mighty men and women of the bible prayed boldly before the Lord. Moses, Abraham, King David, Daniel, Joshua, just to name a few. Their prayers weren't answered because they were easy to answer. They weren't answered because they took the least amount of effort, or because they were the least bothersome to the Lord in their requests. They knew what they wanted or needed and boldly brought their needs before the Lord. They didn't pussy foot around and meekly ask for their desires, if it wasn't too much trouble! Moses many times called out to God on behalf of Israel, and God answered in huge ways.
Hebrews 4:16(NIV)
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Philippians 4:6
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your prayers to God."
How can I not present my huge, seemingly impossible requests to him? What have I to lose by boldly bringing them to His feet? It has been demonstrated time and time again in the bible, so why have I not followed suit? It's time to think of those big big prayers. It's time to bring those prayers boldly to the throne. It's time to pray big and pray bold.
