Daring Faith: The Power and Purpose of Prayer
Summary
Today, we explored the incredible privilege and power of prayer, and how God invites us to partner with Him in bringing His kingdom to earth. We began by reflecting on the church’s call to generosity, especially through our annual back-to-school outreach, which is a tangible way to reflect the heart of God—giving freely, just as He gives to us. This generosity is not just about meeting needs, but about embodying the love and character of Christ in our community.
Turning to Matthew 8, we looked at the story of the centurion whose faith amazed Jesus. The centurion understood authority and believed that Jesus could heal with just a word. This kind of daring faith is rare, but it’s exactly what God desires from us. Faith and prayer are deeply connected; there are breakthroughs and victories that will only come when we dare to pray boldly. God already knows our needs, but prayer is about relationship, trust, and joining in His purposes. It’s an invitation to step into God’s world, to discover His heart, and to align ourselves with His will.
We considered the example of Smith Wigglesworth, a man of simple but audacious faith, and how God used him to do extraordinary things—not because of his education or eloquence, but because he dared to believe. Like him, we are called to pray prayers that honor God’s greatness, not just generic or selfish prayers. God is looking for people who will stand in the gap, who will pray specifically and fervently for His kingdom to come and His will to be done.
We also saw that effective prayer is rooted in knowing God’s will, which is revealed in His Word and by His Spirit. When we pray according to His will, we can have confidence that He hears and answers. Sometimes the answer is “no” or “not yet,” but God’s wisdom and love are always at work. The more we pray, the more we experience God’s power, and the more our faith grows. Prayer should become our reflex, our first response in every situation.
Finally, we were reminded that prayer is not about perfection, but about humility and persistence. God delights in our boldness and our trust, even when we get it wrong. He is a loving Father who invites us to use our words, to come to Him with confidence, and to expect great things. As we dare to pray, we will see God move in our lives, our families, and our world.
Key Takeaways
- Daring faith amazes God and unlocks His power. The centurion’s story in Matthew 8 shows that God is moved by bold, specific faith—not by status or background. When we dare to believe that God is able and willing, we step into a realm where miracles become possible, and our prayers can literally change lives. [23:52]
- Prayer is more than asking for needs; it’s an invitation into relationship and partnership with God. God already knows what we need, but He desires that we come to Him, not just for provision, but to know His heart and join in His purposes. Prayer aligns us with God’s will and brings us into deeper fellowship with Him. [27:11]
- The effectiveness of our prayers is directly tied to our understanding of God’s character and will. The more we know God through His Word and Spirit, the bolder and more specific our prayers become. When we pray according to His will, we can have confidence that He hears and answers, even if the answer is different than we expect. [51:45]
- Persistent, faith-filled prayer is the engine of spiritual breakthrough. Many things in our lives and in the world will not change until we pray. God is actively seeking people who will stand in the gap, intercede for others, and pray prayers that are worthy of His greatness. Our prayer life is a true barometer of our faith and spiritual vitality. [31:04]
- God honors humility and persistence in prayer, not perfection. Even when we make mistakes or pray imperfectly, God’s grace covers us. He invites us to keep coming, keep asking, and keep believing. As we do, our faith grows, our love deepens, and we experience the joy of seeing God move in and through us. [01:05:49]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Back-to-School Outreach: Reflecting God’s Generosity
[05:30] - The Heart of Giving and Church History
[10:00] - Introduction to Matthew 8: Dare to Pray
[18:20] - The Centurion’s Faith: A Model for Us
[20:56] - Smith Wigglesworth: Faith in Action
[25:16] - The Link Between Prayer and Breakthrough
[27:11] - Prayer as Relationship, Not Just Requests
[31:04] - Praying Bold, Specific Prayers
[35:11] - The Size of Our Prayers Reflects Our View of God
[41:16] - Three Keys to Daring Prayer
[47:42] - Praying into the Will of God
[56:33] - Pray Always: Making Prayer Our First Response
[58:28] - Testimonies of God’s Power Through Prayer
[01:03:00] - Prayer, Grace, and God’s Fatherly Love
[01:07:10] - Final Encouragement: Dare to Pray
[01:09:16] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[01:15:20] - Worship Through Giving and Benediction
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Dare to Pray
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### Bible Reading
Matthew 8:5-13 (ESV)
> When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
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### Observation Questions
1. What was it about the centurion’s approach and words that made Jesus “marvel” at his faith? (Matthew 8:5-13)
2. According to the sermon, what is the connection between faith and prayer? [[23:52]]
3. How did the centurion’s understanding of authority shape his faith in Jesus’ ability to heal? (Matthew 8:8-9)
4. What does the sermon say about the difference between generic prayers and bold, specific prayers? [[31:04]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus was so impressed by the centurion’s faith, especially considering he was not part of Israel? What does this say about who can have great faith? (Matthew 8:10)
2. The sermon says, “There are some things that you’re not going to see happen in your life until you pray.” What does this suggest about God’s desire for partnership with us through prayer? [[25:16]]
3. The centurion believed Jesus could heal “with just a word.” How does this challenge or encourage our own expectations when we pray? (Matthew 8:8)
4. The sermon mentions that effective prayer is rooted in knowing God’s will, which is revealed in His Word and by His Spirit. How can we practically discern God’s will when we pray? [[51:45]]
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### Application Questions
1. The centurion’s faith was bold and specific. Think about your own prayers—are they usually bold and specific, or more generic? What is one area where you could start praying more specifically and with greater faith? [[31:04]]
2. The sermon says, “Prayer is more than asking for needs; it’s an invitation into relationship and partnership with God.” How can you shift your prayer life from just asking for things to seeking God’s heart and will? [[27:11]]
3. The story of Smith Wigglesworth was shared as an example of simple but daring faith. Is there an area in your life where you need to “dare to believe” God for something big? What’s holding you back? [[23:52]]
4. The sermon challenges us to “stand in the gap” and pray for others and for our world. Who is one person or situation you feel God is calling you to intercede for this week? How will you pray for them? [[31:04]]
5. The pastor said, “God honors humility and persistence in prayer, not perfection.” Have you ever hesitated to pray because you felt unworthy or unsure? How can you approach God with more confidence and persistence, even when you feel weak? [[01:05:49]]
6. The sermon encourages making prayer our “first response in every situation.” What is one practical step you can take this week to make prayer your reflex when challenges or opportunities arise? [[56:33]]
7. The church’s back-to-school outreach is described as a way to reflect God’s generosity. How can you participate in generosity—either through this outreach or another way—as a response to God’s love and provision? [[00:45]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray bold, specific prayers for one another, and to ask God to increase their faith and reveal His will in their lives. Encourage sharing testimonies of answered prayer at the next meeting.
Devotional
Day 1: Daring Faith Amazes God
God is looking for people whose faith causes Him to marvel. The centurion in Matthew 8 demonstrated a faith so bold and confident in Jesus’ authority that even Jesus was amazed. This kind of faith is not reserved for the religious elite or those with perfect backgrounds, but is available to anyone who will dare to believe that God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do. When we approach God with this kind of faith, we open the door for miracles and breakthroughs that would not happen otherwise. God is waiting for us to pray with boldness, trusting Him to move in ways beyond our imagination. [23:52]
Matthew 8:5-13 (ESV)
When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to stop waiting and start daring to pray boldly, believing God can do the impossible?
Day 2: Believe When You Pray
Effective prayer is rooted in faith—believing that God not only can, but will move when we ask according to His will. Jesus teaches that when we pray, we must believe that we have received what we ask for, and not doubt in our hearts. Our prayers should reflect the greatness of our God, not the size of our problems. The more we know God through His Word and testimony, the more our faith grows, and the more powerful our prayers become. Let your prayers be shaped by a big view of God, trusting Him to do what only He can do. [41:50]
Mark 11:22-24 (ESV)
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Reflection: What is one specific prayer you have been hesitant to pray because it seems too big—will you bring it to God today, believing He is able?
Day 3: Pray According to God’s Will
When we align our prayers with God’s will, we can pray with confidence, knowing that He hears and answers us. The early church, even in the face of persecution, prayed not for escape but for boldness to fulfill God’s mission, and God responded with power. God’s will is revealed in His Word and by His Spirit, and as we seek Him, we discover what to pray for. Praying God’s will is not about getting what we want, but about partnering with Him to see His kingdom come and His purposes accomplished on earth. [50:47]
1 John 5:14-15 (ESV)
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Reflection: What is one area where you need to seek God’s will before you pray—will you spend time in His Word today to discover His heart for that situation?
Day 4: Persistent Prayer Invites God’s Power
Prayer is not a one-time event but a continual posture of the heart. The more we pray, the more we invite God’s kingdom and power into our lives and circumstances. Instead of panicking or trying to fix things in our own strength, we are called to make prayer our first response. As we persist in prayer, we see God move, our faith grows, and we become more confident to pray again. God honors those who keep coming to Him, trusting Him to do what only He can do, and He delights to answer persistent, faith-filled prayers. [57:17]
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Reflection: When faced with a challenge today, will you pause and make prayer your first response instead of your last resort?
Day 5: Generosity Reflects God’s Heart
One of the hallmarks of God’s people is their willingness to give generously, just as God has given freely to us. When we give—whether it’s school supplies for children in need, our finances, or our time—we reflect the love and generosity of Jesus. Our acts of generosity are not just about meeting needs, but about causing others to glorify God and experience His love in tangible ways. God invites us to partner with Him in blessing others, and as we do, we become a living testimony of His goodness and provision. [01:17:40]
Matthew 25:40 (ESV)
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Reflection: Who is one person or group you can bless this week with a tangible act of generosity, reflecting God’s love to them?
Quotes
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