Page 87 - First Steps 2023

For big things, small things, and everything in between.
As a Jesus-follower, he’s given you an all-access pass to the throne
room of God. You can come to God at any time in prayer, and he will hear
you—including your requests.

• Pray boldly
Scripture doesn’t put any restrictions on the size of what you can
pray for and about…so ask big. And ask boldly.
Remember, you’re talking with God—there’s nothing he can’t do.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”
(Ephesians 3:20).

• Pray with confidence
Will God always grant your requests? No—and he never promises to
do so.
He does promise to hear you…to give what’s asked that’s in accor-
dance with his will…and to respond to requests brought to him in faith.
John had this to say…

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask
anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he
hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of
him” (1 John 5:14-15).

As you get to know Jesus better, you’ll get a sense of what he’s doing
in your life and in the world around you. You’ll be able to pray to be a part
of what he’s up to—because that’s where Jesus is leading you.
And God abundantly answers prayers that accomplish his will.

2. Pray specifically.
We Jesus-followers often fail to make specific requests—our prayers
are so vague and general it’s almost impossible to know if God answered
in the affirmative.

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