In his book, Your Story Has a Villain, John Pokluda asks: “What would you change if all your prayers were answered?”

When I first read that question, I paused and tried to think about all the prayers I had said the previous day. Pokluda’s question made me wonder if my prayers were too timid or small. If I knew they would all be answered, had I taken the time to pray for big things like global peace, poverty, persecuted Christians, friends who resist God, and Jesus’ return?

But, of course, God is in fact always hearing and answering the prayers of his people. Over time, however, our prayers can get trembly. ‘Dear God, if you’re not too busy, would you possibly mind maybe giving me a tidbit of strength, but only if you think it’s a good idea, perhaps, if it’s your will, maybe. Sigh…’

What I’m about to say is speculation, so keep that in mind. But wouldn’t it be amazing if one day in heaven we were allowed to look back and see how all of our prayers were answered? Sure, many of them would most certainly be answered in ways that were different than what we had wanted or expected, but can you imagine being allowed to see how ALL of them made some sort of difference?

Jesus taught us to pray big prayers: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). That’s huge! 

Let’s take our lead from Jesus himself. 

If you made a list of your prayer requests, what would that show you about the kinds of priorities you have? What would it tell you about your greatest hopes? What would it say about how big (or small) you think God is?

“What would you change if all your prayers were answered?”

Let’s pray big. And may God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Notes:

-*Johnathan Pokluda with Jon Green, Your Story Has a Villain (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2025), 154.

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.