The words I most remembered from this past Sunday’s sermon to prepare us for the Lenten season were “Pray big prayers.” I asked myself later, Why is it that we don’t pray big prayers? Are we trying to play it safe? Could it be that we think that we know how to fix our problems?
I am rather amused when people pray and tell God how to solve their problems. When I pray, I trust God to do his will in my life. I am kidding myself if I think for one minute that I can manipulate the results with my prayers.
The purpose of the Lenten season is to draw closer to God. Most times we think of giving up something like chocolate or sweets. That would not be hard for me. What would really be a challenge is finding more time to practice the disciplines of repentance, prayer and fasting. One of my big prayers is asking God to help me eliminate doing things that are not absolutely necessary. If I can find more time for the next 40 days, then I am on a journey that can only help transform my life. Prayer is transformative and when done consistently helps guide my behavior.
We are encouraged by the Scriptures to pray big prayers: “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). The key to praying big prayers is understanding and believing that God is able to answer our prayers. For me, praying has more to do with what I think about God than anything else.
What I want for Lent is to have more time to pray so that my image of God expands. I want my heart and head to agree. I will start this season with a repentant heart. A heart that asks God to forgive me for not always seeing him as I should, according to his word. I don’t have to wonder who he is because the Bible declares it for me. I only have to believe and expect him to be true to himself.
My prayer point and challenge for you: Study the Bible and believe that God is who he says he is, and pray big prayers during the 40 days of Lent. It will become a habit. Watch what God will do.
God bless you!
