Prayer is a funny thing isn’t it? There are some who treat prayer like a religious duty instead of a privilege or honor. Then there are some that think the more eloquent the prayer, the more God will move. They treat prayer like a formula or recipe to be followed in order to make something happen. They believe that if they say the right thing God will move, but if one word is wrong it might mess up the whole equation. Prayer is not a mathematical equation. It doesn’t always equal the result we want. Prayer is a real conversation with the Creator of the Universe. It is an honest, heartfelt dialogue with God. Look what Jesus said…

Matthew 6:5-8

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, Who is unseen. Then your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

Jesus was rebuking those who were praying with the intention of being commended for their religious piety. God isn’t interested in our mumbo jumbo religious rants. He is interested in our hearts and our sincerity. God is a relational God, not a religious God. Jesus came to do away with the religiosity and make a way for us to have personal, relational access to God the Father. He became our mediator, so that we could have open communication with a great God Who always listens.

We need not only to pray small prayers but B.I.G. prayers to a big God! God is a God of the impossible and the supernatural. I believe many people are not praying big prayers. We sometimes reduce prayer to a meal blessing, before bed ritual, and “give me a great day” type of prayers that are fine, but not B.I.G.

Here is what a B.I.G. prayer is…

B = Bold. Pray risky prayers that challenge you and stretch your faith. Don’t let your prayers only consist of: bless me, protect me, keep me safe, etc… Challenge yourself to pray prayers such as: change me, shape me, disrupt me, refine me, and stretch me. Be bold with your request! Ask God for BIG request in your life. Their is nothing wrong with praying things that seem crazy bold! Pray prayers that challenge you and will cause you to step out in faith! Don’t ask to live a safe life, seek to live a bold life!

I = Intentional. Be intentional with your prayers. Ask God for the specific things that you are believing for. Sometimes we don’t know if God is answering our prayers because we really don’t know what we are asking for. We say things like “God use me,” which is great, but how will you know if He is using you if you aren’t specific about how you want to be used? Pray specifically about how you want God to use you. Don’t be vague, be intentional! Keep a journal to see how God is answering your prayers. Many times God is answering our prayers but we don’t recognize it.

G = God Sized. Let your prayers soar! Don’t be afraid to pray for the miraculous. God is limitless. He knows no boundaries or impossibilities. Remember you are talking to the Creator of the Universe. He is God Almighty. The One able to do more than we can ask, think, or imagine. Get your prayers to be about God things, not me things! Ask God to bless you in order to be a blessing to someone else! Pray prayers that are in line with God’s heart!

Be in open communication with God at all times. Not just before a meal, or before bedtime, or in a time of need. Have a constant open line with God all day, everyday. Keep the spiritual lines connected at all times. Don’t hang up or put God on hold. Keep the lines open. Go throughout your day thanking Him, asking Him questions, lifting up others, and seeking His direction. Prayer will keep the fire of our relationship burning bright. Prayer is the secret place where God reveals His heart in a powerful way. Prayer aligns us with Gods will. It keeps us burning with focus on the One Who has all the answers and all the power.

Remember pray B.I.G. prayers that will push you to become all that God created you to be…

I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity and God gave me brawn and brains to work.

I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for patience and God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait.

I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities.

I asked for everything so I could enjoy life.

Instead, He gave me life so I could enjoy everything.

I received nothing I wanted, I received everything I needed.