“We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.” Psalm 44:1
Why are we afraid to ask big things of God? What do we expect Him to say? “What? How dare you even think such a thing? What a selfish thing to ask…” Or perhaps our internal monitor tells us we aren’t worthy of such a grand response from God.
“Ask big.”
I’ve heard sermons on it. I’ve even drummed up the courage a few times to whisper a “big” prayer to God, (qualified, of course, with lots of, “According to Your will, Lord, according to what seems best…” because this probably isn’t it. I mean, how could it be–it’s big–I know it’s asking an awful lot…).
How could God take such a prayer seriously? I obviously don’t.
Still, as to those grand acts of long ago, surely God reserves such miracles for important people like Moses, Joshua, the apostle Peter–not for nobodies like me . . . And even though I know it isn’t theologically sound sometimes I believe that.
And it shapes the way I pray–and the response I receive from God.
Several years back my family went through a prolonged period of intense financial need. Work was slow, there was no money in the bank and little food in the pantry. During that time, my husband attended a men’s retreat with our church. When He returned, he told me a story about how God had worked during a difficult time in the speaker’s life to meet his family’s needs. It went something like this:
The speaker, a man named David, and his family of four had hit some tough financial times. Their pantry had been reduced to a single pathetic meal not even adequate to feed one. They sat down for dinner and split it four ways. Emotionally, it was too much. His wife left the table in tears. David sat for a few moments wrestling with anguish and anger, then rose, strode to the front door, ripped it open to storm out, and promptly tripped over ten bags of groceries waiting on their doorstop.
God had intervened. He had provided–big time.
The story moved me deeply. However, even as I listened, a faith-stripping thought crept in; Sure, things like that happen to the prominent Christians of the world… but, I kept my doubts to myself, and my husband and I went to bed.
When we awoke the next morning, someone–who hadn’t attended the conference or heard the story–showed up on our doorstep with bags and bags of groceries. God intervened and provided for us because . . .
God does big things for small people.
“. . . in days long ago…” God parted the Red Sea, held the sun still, opened prison doors because God can do anything.
That fills me with hope, with wonder, it inspires me to ask “big.”
What “big” thing will you ask God for today? Will you share it with us?
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Comments 16
Somehow I missed this when you first posted this. This was exactly what I needed to hear today. I am always afraid to pray big, to ask for too much. I never feel I deserve it. I don’t deserve anything. That’s the point. I deserve nothing, but He gladly gives me the best. I need to remember that He cares about every tiny thing about me.
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You’re right, we can’t do anything to “deserve” God’s blessings, but He pours them on us anyway! And He has some God-sized blessings waiting for us–all we need to do is ask. I think we assume our obstacle is a lack of faith, but you hit on something even more of a hindrance; a lack of “worthiness to receive” big things from God. Thanks for sharing this great insight. 🙂
Thank you again for helping me revisit history. We have seen over and over throughout our marriage and journey God’s provision in little and BIG ways. We need to rehearse these stories with our kids and grandkids. We use to do that on New Years Eve when the kids were young.
That sounds like a wonderful, inspiring tradition–one to encourage our kids to “ask big,” especially as they watch us experience God’s greatness and faithfulness in the everyday. I sometimes forget the power of passing on my personal stories to my kids to help fortify their own faith.
Hi Bethany,
This is just where I’m at. I don’t ask God for the ‘big’ things because of all of the above reasons and more. Just this last Christmas I was given a prayer journal, and a couple of days ago (literally!) I opened it up and was motivated to start an impossibility prayer journal. Every time I open that page and read it to Him, I’m reminded that with us little people things are impossible, but for Him all things are possible. Thank you for the reminder that He not only does impossible things, but He does them for us small people.
Blessings,
Sarah
Your “impossibility prayer journal” inspires me! Maybe I will start one…hmm, just how “big” is my God?
I’ve never asked God for material things. I’ve only asked for peace. So far She hasn’t failed me. My life turned around completely when I finally let go of my troubles and gave them all to Her.
God never disappoints any who come to Him in faith. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)
I needed to read this today – wanting to believe God for some big things and struggling with feelings of presumption. Thank you!
So glad God used it to encourage you. I can relate to your struggle. I’ve been mentoring a new believer and God has led me to use the Father/child relationship to illustrate many truths about the nature of her relationship to Him. I wonder if that applies here? If either of my kids came to me with heartfelt dreams, I doubt I would feel their hopes and dreams were presumption. Blessings to you!
Thanks, Bethany. This was timely…as God is…and heartfelt. Would you please send me the info on the writer’s conference again since, in my lack of faith prayer, I let it slip away? Thank-you. I’m praying big prayers for you as well. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
God not only knows our need, He meets it through unlikely sources. Praising God with you.
I love the question and the answer you provide in your message. God cares about every person–down to the number of hairs on our head. It’s hard to imagine the detailed knowledge God possesses, but who wants to place their faith in a God that doesn’t know all and see all about each of us. Our thoughts, our motives, our choices, our moods all attract God’s attention because He is God–the Great All in All. Thanks again for the great message! Blessings, luke
A great God whose eye is on the sparrow. A truth that always strengthens my heart! 🙂
What an encouraging message!
Our great God is an encouraging God! 🙂