Joel Osteen Podcast

Episode: "Ask Big" | January 7, 2026

Host: Joel Osteen

Overview

In the episode "Ask Big," Joel Osteen delivers an inspiring message encouraging listeners to have the courage and faith to ask God for big, bold things—well beyond the minimum needed to simply get by. Joel teaches that believers should reject "slave mentality" prayers—small, survival-oriented requests—and instead embrace God's character as a giver of abundance, blessings, and breakthroughs. Through biblical stories, modern testimonies, and his signature warmth, Joel motivates listeners to dream bigger, ask for more, and believe in supernatural favor—not only for themselves but to become a blessing to others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. God Desires Abundance, Not Just Survival

• Scriptural Foundation:

  • Joel opens by illustrating how God's provision in the Bible—like Jesus multiplying loaves and fish—was more than enough (02:40-03:40).
  • Quote: “He’s a God of abundance ... He put more than enough. He wants you to have an abundance so you can be a blessing to those around you.” (03:40)

• Overcoming a Limited Mindset:

  • Joel explains that, like the Israelites who prayed to be better slaves instead of asking for freedom, we often limit ourselves by only asking for help to cope, not to be radically set free.
  • Quote: “Are you asking today to become a better slave? Or are you asking for the abundant, overflowing, more than enough life that God has for you?” (05:40)

2. Bold Prayers Release Big Blessings

• Personal Testimony:

  • Joel shares a story of a grandmother who dared to boldly ask God to provide private school tuition for her grandchildren. An anonymous donor miraculously paid all future tuition.
  • Quote: “She owed a small amount … the secretary turned the monitor around and said, ‘All three of these children’s tuitions have been paid … all the way through eighth grade.’” (11:30)

• Call to Action:

  • Listeners are encouraged to stop praying “sick, weak, miserable prayers” and instead ask God for the miraculous, echoing James 4: “You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss.” (16:30)
  • Quote: “That’s a sick prayer. That prayer has the flu. That prayer is depressed.” (17:40)

3. Ask Like It’s Your Birthday

• God’s Invitation in Psalm 2:

  • Joel references Psalm 2 from The Message: “Today is your birthday. What do you want? Nations as a present, continents as a prize.” (21:10)
  • He compares God’s willingness to bless us to how children boldly ask for what they want on their birthdays.
  • Quote: “When you pray, act like it’s your birthday. Come to me with a boldness. Ask me for what you really want.” (23:25)

• Personal Story (Power Rangers):

  • Joel recounts how, as a father, he went to multiple stores to buy his son a toy. He emphasizes that God, as our Heavenly Father, delights in blessing His children.
  • Quote: “Just like I ran all over the city to find that action figure … God will move heaven and earth to bring about His destiny in your life. Dare to ask big.” (24:55)

4. Praying Beyond Self—For Impact and Influence

• Solomon’s Example:

  • Solomon asked not just for wisdom, but to be renowned so he could help others—God honored this bold, outward-focused request (26:50).
  • Quote: “God did exactly what he asked for... The reason God answered that bold prayer is because Solomon went on to say, ‘God, if you’ll make my name famous … then I will use it to help the widows … to bring justice to the oppressed.’” (27:25)

• Modern Examples:

  • Dr. Price: A renowned doctor who leveraged his influence for global humanitarian work.
  • Troy: A young man from a single-parent family who received scholarships to Georgetown, aiming to be Secretary of State, and using his platform to inspire others.
  • Quote: “God can make things happen that you could never make happen. He’ll make you famous so you can use your influence … so you can help others along the way.” (30:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Don’t ask God to help you function better in your dysfunction. Ask Him for your dreams. Ask Him for new levels. Ask Him for explosive blessings.” (07:00)
• “Instead of believing those lies, I did what I’m asking you to do. I went to God like it was my birthday.” (25:45)
• “There’s no limit to what God will do for you if you’ll use what He’s given you to help others.” (29:30)
• “God has no problem giving you influence, honor, wealth, even fame, as long as your dream in some way is connected to helping others, to making this world a better place.” (27:50)
• “No more sick prayers. Take the limits off of God. Ask Big. This is the year for God to show out in your life, to accelerate his goodness, to propel you into your destiny.” (18:00)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:10] – Main message intro: “I want to talk to you today about Asking Big.”
• [03:00] – Illustration of abundance: Jesus feeds the thousands, twelve baskets left over.
• [06:40] – Slave mentality vs. abundant mindset: The Israelites’ story.
• [11:30] – Grandmother tuition miracle story.
• [15:30] – Luke 18: Blind men ask for healing—Jesus asks “What do you want me to do for you?”
• [16:30] – “Sick, weak, miserable prayers”—James 4 and challenging limited requests.
• [21:10] – Psalm 2: “Today is your birthday. What do you want?”
• [23:25] – Birthday analogy and bold prayer.
• [24:55] – Joel’s Power Rangers story and the “Heavenly Father” analogy.
• [26:50] – Solomon’s bold prayer for influence and its purpose.
• [29:30] – Using influence for others: Dr. Price story.
• [30:10] – Troy’s scholarship and billboard story.
• [31:20] – Final encouragement: “Go to God like it’s your birthday. Ask him for your dreams.”

Final Encouragement & Declaration

• “If you’ll do this, I believe and declare like Solomon, God is going to give you more influence, more resources, more notoriety. You’re going to accomplish your dreams, rise higher than you ever thought possible, and become everything God created you to be. In Jesus’ name. If you receive it, can you say amen today?” (31:30)

Action Steps

• Reject small, survival-minded prayers—embrace “birthday faith.”
• Ask God boldly for what you really desire, connected to helping others.
• See God as a loving Father eager to bless, not inconvenienced by your requests.
• Use your blessings and influence to make a difference in the world.

This episode is a call to reject settling, remove self-imposed prayer limits, and approach God with the confidence and boldness of dearly loved children—trusting Him for the miraculous, both for yourself and for the greater good.