Bold Prayers: Embracing God's Promises with Confidence
Summary
Today, we gathered to honor the faithfulness of God and the power of bold, audacious prayer. Reflecting on the story of Caleb, Othniel, and Aksa from Joshua 15, we see a powerful lesson: God’s promises are not given to taunt or frustrate us, but to sustain and motivate us through seasons of waiting. Caleb waited forty years for his promise, enduring hardship and delay, yet remained steadfast. When the time came, he seized his inheritance with courage. But the story doesn’t end there—Aksa, his daughter, models a different kind of faith. She was not content to simply receive what was given; she asked for more, for springs of water to go with her land, and her father gladly granted her request.
This narrative challenges us to examine our own posture before God. Too often, we confuse timidity with humility, thinking it’s spiritual to simply accept what we have and never ask for more. Yet, Scripture is clear: God delights in giving good gifts to those who ask. Jesus repeatedly urges us to ask, seek, and knock, promising that our Father responds to bold, persistent prayers. The difference between Othniel and Aksa was not their worthiness, but their relationship to the father—Aksa knew her father’s heart and so she asked with confidence.
We are called to be a generation that turns gratitude for past blessings into expectancy for future miracles. Contentment with what God has done should not lead to empty prayers, but to a faith that asks for greater things. The Bible is filled with stories of people who dared to ask God for the impossible—Joshua asking for the sun to stand still, Hezekiah’s life extended, Jabez’s curse reversed, Peter walking on water, and the blind receiving sight. These are not just ancient stories; they are invitations for us today.
God is not finished with us. There are blessings, breakthroughs, and miracles waiting on the other side of our bold prayers. Let us not leave favor on the table because of reluctance or fear. Instead, let us draw near to God, know His heart, and ask Him for the outrageous, believing that He is able and willing to do more than we can imagine.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Promises Are Meant to Sustain, Not Frustrate
When God gives a promise, it is not to tease or torment us, but to anchor us through seasons of waiting and uncertainty. Caleb’s forty-year journey reminds us that the fulfillment of God’s word may be delayed, but it is never denied. The promise is meant to keep us moving forward, trusting that God’s timing is perfect and His faithfulness unwavering. [22:29]
- Boldness in Prayer Flows from Intimacy with the Father
The difference between Othniel’s reluctance and Aksa’s audacity was their relationship with Caleb. Aksa knew her father’s heart and so she asked confidently. Likewise, the closer we draw to God, the bolder our prayers become. Intimacy with God transforms our requests from timid hopes to audacious faith, because we trust in His goodness and generosity. [44:28]
- Timidity Is Not Humility—Ask for More
Many believers mistake timidity for humility, thinking it’s spiritual to never ask for more. But Scripture teaches that God desires bold, persistent prayers. True humility is recognizing our dependence on God and coming to Him with our needs and dreams, believing He delights to answer. Don’t let false humility keep you from the blessings God wants to give. [36:29]
- Testimonies of God’s Faithfulness Fuel Expectant Faith
Looking back on God’s past faithfulness should inspire us to pray bigger prayers for the future. Gratitude for what God has done is the foundation for expectancy of what He will do. Our testimonies are not just memories; they are launching pads for greater faith and greater requests. [31:57]
- Miracles Happen When We Dare to Ask
Throughout Scripture and in our own lives, miracles are often released when someone dares to ask God for the impossible. Whether it’s healing, provision, or breakthrough, God responds to faith-filled, audacious prayers. The invitation is open: ask, seek, knock, and watch as God does what only He can do. [50:49]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Honoring Pastor Brent and Patricia
[04:10] - Jillian’s Leadership and Book Release
[06:30] - Prophetic Word: It’s Your Moment
[10:50] - Introduction to Joshua 15
[17:10] - Aksa’s Bold Request
[22:29] - Caleb’s Forty-Year Wait
[27:40] - The Power of Asking
[31:57] - Contentment and Expectancy
[35:40] - Othniel’s Faithfulness vs. Aksa’s Boldness
[36:29] - Timidity vs. Humility
[37:54] - Personal Testimony: God’s Provision
[41:45] - Knowing the Father and Bold Prayers
[44:28] - The Closeness that Fuels Audacity
[47:46] - Miracles Released Through Asking
[50:49] - Modern-Day Miracle Testimony
[56:49] - Faith and Boldness Released
[57:58] - Ministry Time: Praying for Miracles
[59:49] - Closing Worship and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Bold Prayers & God’s Faithfulness”
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### Bible Reading
- Joshua 15:18-19
_When Aksa married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What’s the matter?” She said, “Give me another gift. You have already given me land in the Negev. Now, please give me springs of water too.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs._
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### Observation Questions
1. What did Aksa ask her father Caleb for, and how did he respond? (Joshua 15:18-19)
2. According to the sermon, what was the difference between Othniel’s and Aksa’s approach to Caleb after their wedding? [44:28]
3. How long did Caleb have to wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled in his life, and what did he do during that time? [22:29]
4. What are some examples from the sermon of people in the Bible who asked God for big or “outrageous” things? [47:46]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Aksa was bold enough to ask for more, while Othniel was reluctant? What does this say about their relationship with Caleb? [44:28]
2. The sermon says, “God’s promises are not given to taunt or frustrate us, but to sustain and motivate us.” How does Caleb’s story show this? [22:29]
3. The pastor said that many Christians confuse timidity with humility. What’s the difference between the two, and why does it matter in our prayer life? [36:29]
4. How does remembering God’s past faithfulness help us pray with more boldness for the future? [31:57]
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### Application Questions
1. Is there a promise or dream from God that you have been waiting on for a long time, like Caleb? How have you handled the waiting season? [22:29]
2. Do you tend to be more like Othniel (reluctant to ask) or Aksa (bold to ask) in your prayers? Why do you think that is? [44:28]
3. The sermon challenged us not to mistake timidity for humility. Can you think of a time when you held back from asking God for something because you thought it was “too much” or “not spiritual”? What happened? [36:29]
4. The pastor shared a personal story about asking God for a home and then being challenged to ask for even bigger things. Is there something you want to ask God for that feels “outrageous” or impossible? What is holding you back? [37:54]
5. How can you turn your gratitude for what God has already done into expectancy for what He will do next? What’s one way you can practice this in your prayers this week? [31:57]
6. The sermon gave examples of miracles that happened when people dared to ask. Is there a specific area in your life, family, or community where you need a miracle? How can your small group support you in praying bold prayers for this? [50:49]
7. What would it look like for you to “draw near to God, know His heart, and ask Him for the outrageous” this month? Is there a step you can take to grow in intimacy with God so your prayers become bolder? [44:28]
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Close in prayer, asking God to give your group boldness, faith, and a deeper relationship with Him, just like Aksa had with her father.
Devotional
Day 1: Boldly Ask for More from God
God delights in believers who, like Aksa, are willing to ask for more—who do not settle for what they have but come boldly before Him with audacious requests. The difference between a life of frustration and a life of blessing often lies in the willingness to open your mouth and ask, trusting that God is not taunting you with His promises but inviting you to partake in them. Let your prayers be filled with expectancy, knowing that God’s heart is to give, and that He responds to those who approach Him with faith and boldness. [27:40]
Joshua 15:18-19 (ESV)
"When she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she got off her donkey, and Caleb said to her, 'What do you want?' She said to him, 'Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.' And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs."
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you have settled for “enough” instead of boldly asking God for more? Will you bring that request to Him today in prayer?
Day 2: God’s Promises Are Meant to Be Claimed
God does not give promises to frustrate or taunt His people, but to sustain, motivate, and uplift them through seasons of waiting and challenge. Like Caleb, who waited forty years to see God’s word fulfilled, you are called to hold fast to the promises God has spoken over your life, letting them fuel your faith and perseverance until the day of fulfillment. Remember, the promises of God are alive within you to make you a partaker of His divine nature—so do not let go, but keep believing and moving forward. [22:29]
2 Peter 1:4 (ESV)
"By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: What is a promise from God that you have been waiting on? How can you let that promise sustain and motivate you today, even if you have not yet seen its fulfillment?
Day 3: Contentment and Expectancy—Grateful for the Past, Bold for the Future
While it is right to be content and grateful for what God has already done, true faith looks back with gratitude and forward with bold expectancy. The Bible never teaches us to be empty in our prayers; instead, it calls us to turn our testimonies of God’s faithfulness into bold prayers for what He will do next. Let your gratitude for past blessings fuel your confidence to ask for even greater things, knowing that your Father delights to give good gifts to those who ask. [31:57]
James 4:2 (ESV)
"You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask."
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed gratitude to become complacency? How can you let your thankfulness for God’s past faithfulness inspire bold prayers for your future?
Day 4: Intimacy with God Fuels Boldness in Prayer
The difference between timid and audacious prayers is rooted in how well you know the Father. The closer you draw to God, the bolder your prayers become, just as Aksa’s willingness to ask was born out of her relationship with her father. Intimacy with God transforms your prayer life from hesitant requests to outrageous, faith-filled petitions, because you trust His heart and His willingness to bless. Seek deeper relationship with Him, and let that closeness embolden your prayers. [45:48]
Matthew 7:7-11 (ESV)
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"
Reflection: How does your relationship with God affect the boldness of your prayers? What is one step you can take today to draw closer to Him and pray more audaciously?
Day 5: God Still Works Miracles—It’s Your Time to Ask
The God of the Bible is still the God of miracles today, responding to bold, faith-filled prayers with supernatural breakthroughs. Testimonies of healing, provision, and revival are not just stories of the past but invitations for you to believe and ask for the impossible in your own life. Let faith rise in your heart, refuse to live small, and fill your mouth with requests—because God is ready to do more than you can ask or imagine. [56:49]
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,"
Reflection: What is one “impossible” situation in your life or community where you need a miracle? Will you dare to ask God for breakthrough today, believing He still does the impossible?
Quotes
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