Praying Big...Revisted

Katrina posted this earlier today. You really should read it, and the comments it sparked. In my comment, I told her I would republish one of my first blogs. Actually, this is a couple of years old (even though I blogged it in June). I still remember that day vividly, and God still uses it to remind me to PRAY BIG.


On the way home one evening, CJ and I were noticing that the sky was clear and filled with sun on one side of the road, yet completely covered with black clouds on the other. “Mama, I bet we’re going to see a rainbow,” CJ declared. “You know, rainbows come when it’s sun-shining and raining at the same time.” Not wanting my little girl to be disappointed, I quickly sent up a prayer, “Lord, she would be so thrilled to see a rainbow. Is there any way you can make it happen?” Well, I had barely finished when Jesus had sent not one, but TWO, rainbows…much to CJ’s delight! “See, Mama, I TOLD YOU!” she squealed.

"See, My child, I TOLD YOU!”

“Yes, Lord, You did.” I humbly whispered, tears filling my eyes.

CJ never doubted that if she wanted something badly enough, her Jesus would give it to her, without thinking twice. Oh, I want to pray like that! No wonder Jesus tells us to come to Him as little children…as adults, we too often pray expecting to be disappointed. We ascribe human qualities to God…certain that He’ll somehow let us down like so many others have. Perhaps we keep our expectations low so that our pain won’t be as great. If we don’t anticipate big things, we won’t be hurt when we don’t get them.

More and more I’m learning that type of praying does not honor God. God wants us to come to Him as Jeremiah did, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jer. 21:17) When we believe that with our full hearts, we can start to pray like He’s going to answer. And then we get the joy of sitting back and watching Him work.

Are we waiting for an invitation? Jesus Himself gives us permission to pray big. “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:13-14). Perhaps your request seems miniscule, but if God will be glorified in the answer, you can bet Jesus will grant it. He will do whatever it takes to glorify God. Even if no one else saw or cared, Our Father was exalted in the heart of a 5-year old when He set two rainbows in the sky for her. He was exalted in the heart of her mother when I realized how very much He wants to grant our requests.

It’s time to stop praying small. Our God can handle so much more than we ask of Him. He longs to do that for us. He wants us to hear Him say, “I told you so, My child. I TOLD YOU SO!"