As we begin this new year, what are you asking from God in 2018?
What is the one thing you are praying for that if God were to answer, would change everything?
God is not intimidated by big prayers, in fact, He welcomes them. God wants to do great and mighty things in your life in 2018, and He is waiting for you to ask.
In the book “Build to Last,” Jim Collins coined the phrase, “Big Hairy Audacious Goal” These are goals, which if accomplished would change the course of a company or even a nation.
Bill Gates had a goal of putting a personal computer in every home. At the time most people couldn’t imagine why they would even need a computer in their home. Now almost every household has a least one computer. That one goal created an entirely new sector of business and until recently made Bill Gates the richest man in the world.
When President Kennedy announced the goal of putting a man on the moon back in 1961, it was a big hairy audacious goal. The technology needed to accomplish the goal didn’t even exist at the time. Many leaders and scientist weren’t even sure it was possible, but that one goal changed the course of a nation.
If the world can have big hairy audacious goals, why shouldn’t we as Christians have big hairy audacious prayers? Why not pray prayers that shake heaven, and stretch our faith?
Do you have a big hairy audacious prayer for 2018? Why not?
Most of us underestimate what God wants to do
Most of us underestimate what God wants to do in our life. We pray small safe prayers. We don’t ask for God for miraculous healing; we pray for Him to be with the doctors – safe, small prayers. It may be because we just don’t have the faith to ask big prayers, or that we’re afraid God won’t answer, or maybe with just don’t think we deserve for God to answer our big prayers. For whatever reason, it seems we just don’t offer up big prayers to our Heavenly Father.
But what if you began praying Big Hairy Audacious Prayers. Prayers like those we see in the Bible; prayers that stretch our faith.
Most of us need to enlarge our view of the God we serve. We need to pray bigger prayers to a bigger God.
When God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 32, He reminded the prophet that God is not limited in His power. – Jeremiah 32:26-27
Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”
There is nothing we can ask of God that is going to stretch His ability to accomplish. You will never lift up a prayer that challenges God to answer.
More importantly, God wants to do great things for us. One of my favorite verses in the New Testament is found at the end of the book of Ephesians. As Paul wraps up his letter to the church, he says this,
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21
Did you catch that little word in the first phrase? God says he is able to far more abundantly beyond all that we ASK. No matter what you ask of God, He is able and wants to do more. In fact, you can’t even imagine the great things God wants to do in your life.
We Are Not Asking
For many of us, we aren’t seeing God answer Big Hairy Audacious Prayers because we simply aren’t asking them.
James 4:2 says “you do not have because you do not ask.”
Isn’t it time you stretched your faith and ask big things from God? Little children don’t have a problem asking big things from their parents. Having raised three children there were times when my children asked for things their father could not accomplish. But as the children of God, we can ask great things from a great God.
We Will Regret What We Didn’t Ask God For
I believe that one of the great regrets we will have as we look back over our life is that we didn’t ask God for enough. We will regret that we didn’t stretch our faith and trust God for greater things. I don’t want to look back on my life and regret that I settled for little comfortable prayers when I should have been asking Big Hairy Audacious Prayers.
I want to fill my life with big prayers that call out to a big God and I know you do too.
Take a Moment
Take a moment and think about what you should be asking from God in 2018? What is that Big Hairy Audacious Prayer you should be asking for your Father? What is that prayer, that if God were to answer, would change everything in your life?
What is the big prayer that only God could accomplish in your life? What is that one thing you are expecting God to do for you in 2018?
Write it down, pray it every day, and let’s see what Big Hairy Audacious things God does in 2018.
Why not share your Big Hairy Audacious Prayer in the comments below.
I pray that God saves my marriage from divorce and that He strengthen it to make it better than it was. That my wife will stop the divorce proceedings
I pray that God will fill my little church with joyous, generous people who love Him first and most and just bubble over with love for Him who loved them first!
I want good health for all my children Lord, especially Hazel will be having a physical examination on Monday , January 15, 2018 and Hilton’s continuing medication will cure his illness and Harmon’s cure for always having headache.
Please help my children Lord in order for them to perform their job well. In case of Harmon I also pray that he could graduate in his college degree this March, 2018.
In case of Hansel Lord, please help him find a job in order for him to support his family.
Thank you Lord…
Rich, may He hear your prayer and answer it in ways that are truly amazing.
I really need a job.. Am waiting for a go ahead in a firm the HR promised to call me soon..
I pray that God will heal my relationship with my boyfriend and make our life happy and blessed I pray God will bless me to have a baby boy who is very healthy happy and strong I pray that my boyfriend can stop smoking weed And that God remove all his negative friends and so call out of his life that is not supporting his dream or helping him achieve his goals I pray my Boyfriend stop lusting after other women and by 100% faithful to me I pray I get approved for another car with know Money down I pray my boyfriend get a job as a Security officer I pray that my boyfriend will love me with affection love attention quality time sexual desires I pray that my boyfriend move back in with me I pray I get a good paying job that’s stress free I pray that my daughter get a good paying Job I pray that son will win his court case and get his Security license back I pray I will get approved for a house in April of 2018 once my lease is up I pray that me and my boyfriend get married in February of 2018 I pray for me my boyfriend my kids and whole family have a blessed beautiful peaceful happy fun loving life I pray me for peace joy love clarity and understanding and equal rights for everyone in this world in Jesus name and mighty God name I pray Amen
I trust the Lord to fill me with the holy spirit that I will speak in tongues. I pray that God heals my Son from Granuloma and takes away the swelling. I pray that the Lord doubles my salary. My big hairy audacious Prayers!!
Lord Almighty, I pray that in this great year of 2018,I will encounter you in every aspect of my life. I pray I will see you in my marriage, family, career and in our finances. Lord, please guide my steps and strengthen my path for I have entrusted all my plans for this year with you. In the mighty name of Jesus, do I believe and pray.
AMEN
I pray my wife be saved from the parasite that she is having an affair with for the past 4+ years! That she learns to hate him for what he has turned her into. For what he has done to our family. For the pain he has caused me, and our children. I pray that just the thought of him makes her sick to her stomach! That the thought of him touching her makes her want to throw up. That her seared conscience be returned to the way it used to be when we were first married. That you Dear Lord God, bring her back to You without shame. That she seek all righteousness! That she becomes the person she once was again. The most incredible wife that ever walked the face of the earth!! In Jesus precious name, Amen
Thank you for this post. It certainly hit home! I vow to pray big, audacious prayers! I am going to seriously think and pray about something that could change my life and ask God for it. Thank you
I pray for reconciliation in our marriage. That my husband will come home. See me through the eye of Jesus. That we both would love like Jesus Loves. That we would walk in oneness. That our lives would glorify God. And others would see Jesus hand in it all. That it would also bring healing to others struggling in marriage and life. That satan would not win the victory in other Christian marriage broken. That forgiveness and love would reign over anything that could destroy our marriage. Jesus heal our marriage make it bran new.
Greetings in Jesus name
I am poor pastor from India and having a small flock here no church house even I am homeless people and landless and my family poor here also .there fore I am request to you kindly praying me and my family that urgent need a home for my family and praying for ministries .
thanks
With regards
Pastor Simon Nag
I pray for my husband’s salvation, for a complete turnaround and revival in our lives and our marriage. For softening of hard hearts and forgiveness. For him to come to Jesus with his whole heart and come home. For everything that the enemy has stolen from us to be restored in Jesus name. Amen
That God would restore my marriage and bring my husband Gerald and son zachariah back home to live with me and our 5 other children. That the divorce proceedings will end and our family will no longet be divided
I pray God mana fest him self in marriages that are calling upon him. The enemy is attacking the heart of family’s. I myself pray for my ex husband to find the lord. That he remind him of the family he walked away from. That we both be given the gift of true forgiveness and healing that only comes from the Lord. I remind God of his promise that he’s s eye run to and from the whole earth looking for those whose heart is found blameless towards him to give strong support. Marriage need his STRONG SUPPORT!
Just wanted to say I am praying for your marriage. I know God can and will do great things. Remember, you can post a prayer request on the prayer wall.
Praying, Asking the father in Jesus name to manifest all the finished work of Jesus concerning all the prayers that have been requested on this post & around the workd asked in Jesus name as Jesus promised that when we would find ourselves in these circumstances that when we cry out to the Lord our God with all our hearts that He would heear and He would answer. So Father I think You for hearing each of us in answering each with your amazing almighty power and loving kindnesses & tender mercies, manifesting in ways that WOW all of us, in Christ Jesus name, as well as the hairy and audacious prayer of Your vision imparted to & revealed to me that I ask You to continue manifesting the wherewithal to “direct,” the efforts we’ve been practicing these last 17 years, and you said it’s time for the grand finale; a Kingdom community center/ Community resource & training center (not the worlds church or religion as many have known)/ Your vision where we are all as kings & priests (community members) can come and collaborate (kings serving kings) hearing Your voice/Your will and seeing Your Glort & purposes for all their lives/ where they can learn the fear of the Lord, basic life skills, life planning & preparation (receive healing for their marriages, family, and children), by Your Word through small groups, Learning their personal identity in Christ their personal purpose and destiny, and the development of their skills/talents/mentoring with a platform where there is no competition and all are welcome before the King; receiving of the table that He has prepared for them in the presence of their (unseen) enemies according to John 14:12-14, John 15:7, 8 and 16 John 16:23 and 24 and Mark 11:24 1 John 514 and 15; the colonization of the world after the culture of the kingdom (of honor, respect, value, significance). This Your vision is so full in my heart & it really does includes all of us in all places every where…and I ask You Abba to align and connect each of us in our place, for our function, imparting Your Glory ( presence power and goodness) that is in us to those that You purposed even through our gifts and talents; those creations of writings/ books/communications, all You purpose before the foundation of the world in Christ Jesus’ name as I have asked this of You Father, I believe that I received by Grace through faith & that it’s finished work is manifested/manifesting! Thank You Holy Spirit for making it manifest to the Glory of the Father, as Jesus declared! Thank you for manifesting our facilities in the corporate offices that are fully staffed with ambassadors of hope and love and faith & We are each joined by You, to You & made Your bride and we are called to prepare ourselves with Holy Spirit for Your return and the marriage feast of the Lamb. The Spirit and the bride says come! Let us all enjoy eternity with You and according to what all You purposed that to look like, I ask Father in Jesus name !
I pray that my husband will be the spiritual head of our home; desire to pray and study the Word and go to church regularly. I pray that this new year he will be a new him and stop doing the same old things that have not worked the past 6 years. I pray he will be the financial head and take care of me, pay the mortgage, stop allowing the water, mobile phones and electricity being cut off. I pray he will live with me considerately and according to knowledge, put the phone down and pay attention to me and stop being a liability and become an asset, someone I need. I pray he will put God first, then me, and then his kids. I pray for healing of my emotions from what I have suffered as a result of his daughter. I pray that I can forgive him and stop hating his daughter. I pray for change in me. I pray for a miracle to mend the brokenness.
I pray for Daddy to be miraculously healed and able to drive again and other things he used to could do. I pray for Momma to be miraculously healed physically of high blood pressure and her mental and emotional wounds would be healed.
I pray for $600,000 to remodel and renovate my parents’ house, pay my house off, pay my car off and pay off the Lowe’s and Langley bill my husband stuck me with and to pay back the thousands of dollars I have given to him and never received back.
Restore me Jesus.
Thankyou for the message I pray that God changes my husband he should stop drinking beer lusting for women sleeping out, he should be buying new things not second hand, no credits kaloba every relationship he has to stop, he should only love me and be faithful I also pray for my mother’s promotion it should come this year and my husband should pay the money he was changed for the marriage thank you lord for your Mercy and love ❤
I pray for discernment for my marriage. I pray that God heals my marriage and touches my husbands heart. I pray for my upcoming appt at Fox Chase Cancer Center. I pray that God is with me that day and he directs the doctor in the way as to what treatment I need. I pray for my health. I pray for God to pour out his Holy Spirit on me and make me be able to handle what’s ahead. No matter the outcome I thank you God for my life.
Just wanted to say I am agreeing with you. I know you can make it. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
I know can do it, I want a job in UN
Good
I am praying for complete healing from a life taking illness for my whole family! I am praying for healing and for God to use me in this however he wants. Huge platform to individuals to proclaim His word is true! Being bold in His name!
i want God to give me HAPPINESS in every situation in my life.I am being affected by my finances,money is a challenge to me these days and i am in debt.My marriage is not good either we are always fighting with my wife and she no longer wants to share her body with me ending up with me suspecting her of infidelity.In the midst of all this I pray that God grant me happiness,cheer me up AND GIVE ME POWER AND COURAGE TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP HIM. amen
I am praying for my 33-year marriage to be saved. I’m praying that God will tear down the walls that my husband has built around him for the last 15 years. That my husband accepts the holy spirit into his heart & life, and that he listens to the advice that our marriage counselor has given to us. That he starts seeing me through the eyes of Jesus. That the enemy does not win the war he’s trying to win with my husband. We can do all things through Christ. In Jesus name I pray…
Thank you Lord for the ability to pray bold prayers. I have a few bold prayers of my own to share with you….I pray that you will continue to be with our world. Bless all of us to be able to live in peace with one another, and to care more about each other. I pray that you will be with my family and myself, and to bless us with the things that we need to be able to make it everyday, financially and physically. I pray that you will help the island of Puerto Rico. They desperately need your help. Help the people there to rebuild and recover and to get access to food, clean water, medical care, and electricity as well. With only a month and a half or more until the next hurricane season, they are running out of time to secure the help that they need. Please help them. I pray that you will help me to lose the weight that I need to lose and to help me to live a more healthier life. I’m borderline diabetic, and I need to make a lifestyle change, or I will end up going on meds to treat diabetes really soon, and I definitely don’t want to. Please help me to eat right and be active while getting plenty of exercise everyday in order to save my life. I pray that you will help to fix things in my relationship with my guy friend and me. He stopped talking to me suddenly and he won’t respond to any of my texts or calls. I don’t think that I’ve done anything to cause this, and we didn’t have a fight or anything, but I would like for things to be better than they currently are now. Lord, help my friend and me to get along and talk to each other again. I pray that both of our hearts are softened towards one another and that our relationship will be restored soon. I also pray that you will help me to continue to do well with in both of my jobs. I work two jobs everyday and I want to do the best that I can. I also pray that you will help me to find a decent 1 or 2 bedroom apartment in my town or nearby, that’s affordable and in a safe neighborhood. I feel like I’m ready to move out of my parent’s house for the first time, and I would like to find a good place to stay. Thanks so much for your help Lord, and I hope that you will have the chance to hear and answer my prayers as best as you can. Thanks again, Lord. I love you. In Jesus name I pray and ask it all, Amen.