Praying Great Prayers for God's Glory
Praying Great Prayers for God's Glory
Week 3, Day 4
God invites us to pray for great things—things far beyond small, routine requests—because He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. But why does God want us to ask for such big things? The ultimate reason is tied to His glory.
In John 14:13, Jesus said,
In John 14:13, Jesus said,
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Notice the purpose clause: so that the Father may be glorified. When we pray for great things in Jesus' name—meaning in alignment with His character, will, and purposes—God answers in ways that display His greatness, power, and goodness to the world around us.
Think about the prayers in Scripture that God answered dramatically. Elijah prayed for fire from heaven on Mount Carmel, not for personal comfort, but so that the people would know that the Lord—he is God (1 Kings 18:37). Jesus prayed before raising Lazarus in John 11:41–42, saying,
Think about the prayers in Scripture that God answered dramatically. Elijah prayed for fire from heaven on Mount Carmel, not for personal comfort, but so that the people would know that the Lord—he is God (1 Kings 18:37). Jesus prayed before raising Lazarus in John 11:41–42, saying,
Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.
The miracle was massive so that God's glory would be revealed and people would believe.
God still works that way today. When you pray for great salvations in your family, for revival in your church or community, for breakthroughs in impossible situations that point people to Him, or for provision and healing that can only be explained by God's hand—those are the kinds of prayers He delights to answer. Not for our name to be made great, but for His.
The limit on our prayers often isn't God's willingness or ability—it's our vision and faith. We ask for small requests because we think small. But when our prayers are shaped by time in His Word and abiding in Christ, they grow to match His heart for His glory.
So today, shift your prayers toward things that will magnify God. Ask for great things that showcase His power, draw people to Jesus, advance His kingdom, and bring Him honor. Pray boldly, in Jesus' name, for the Father's glory—and watch Him move in ways that leave no doubt it's Him.
God still works that way today. When you pray for great salvations in your family, for revival in your church or community, for breakthroughs in impossible situations that point people to Him, or for provision and healing that can only be explained by God's hand—those are the kinds of prayers He delights to answer. Not for our name to be made great, but for His.
The limit on our prayers often isn't God's willingness or ability—it's our vision and faith. We ask for small requests because we think small. But when our prayers are shaped by time in His Word and abiding in Christ, they grow to match His heart for His glory.
So today, shift your prayers toward things that will magnify God. Ask for great things that showcase His power, draw people to Jesus, advance His kingdom, and bring Him honor. Pray boldly, in Jesus' name, for the Father's glory—and watch Him move in ways that leave no doubt it's Him.
APPLICATION:
God delights to answer prayers that bring glory to His name.
- Pray that God will give our church family the boldness to invite people to church.
- Ask God to create an “invitation culture” in our church where we learn to value inviting others to church.
- Ask God to give you an opportunity to invite someone to church this week.
Posted in Advancing the Kingdom Daily Devotionals