Lighting Up Our City Video 4: Building Bridges Not BarriersSample

Jabez prayed a bold prayer. Have you ever prayed a bold prayer, or had one prayed on your behalf? I have. God’s answer was unexpected, but also became a great blessing.

I was in a season of life where I felt lost, from a career perspective, and I didn’t know what God was calling me to do. I sought counsel from others, but didn’t have a clear vision of my next step. After having one of these conversations with a dear friend, she said, “I am going to pray that God opens a door for you and that you will have the courage to go through it.” To me, this was a bold prayer, and it was one God didn’t delay in answering.

Within two days, I was asked to apply for a job at our church. While I had wanted a teaching or ministry position, this position was an “assistant” position for which I felt overqualified. (Pride is a thorn for me!) However, because of my friend’s bold prayer and in obedience to God, I said “yes,” and applied for the position, and I got it.

I truly had no idea of the myriad ways God would bless me in this position. I had the opportunity to interact with and minister to groups of people who were outside my usual circle of friends. I developed a deep love for our seniors in the church. I gained greater compassion for those who were wounded and seeking healing. I learned to be part of a healthy, kingdom-seeking team. And these were just a few of the gifts God gave me.

While I didn’t pray the prayer of Jabez, God certainly “blessed me” and “enlarged my territory” in ways I never could have imagined.

So how is God calling you to pray this prayer? How might you enlarge your territory? How might you step into something different, unknown, or uncomfortable?

Because God is good, faithful, and gracious, I am confident you will be blessed in ways beyond anything you might ask or imagine. Pray a bold prayer, and see what happens.

By Teresa Baumbach