Podcast Episode Summary

Joel Osteen Podcast

Host: Joel Osteen
Episode: Praying Bold Prayers
Date: November 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Joel Osteen inspires listeners to move beyond "get by" prayers and instead pray bold prayers that match the greatness of God. Drawing from scripture, real-life examples, and personal stories, Osteen encourages listeners to expand their vision, ask God for more than daily needs, and pursue big dreams not just for themselves, but to be a blessing to others. The episode’s tone is uplifting, motivating, and marked by Osteen’s characteristic warmth and optimism.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Principle of Bold Praying

• Common Prayers vs. Bold Prayers

  • Many people pray only for their immediate needs: health, wisdom, strength, provision.
  • Osteen advocates for stepping beyond small requests (“get by” prayers) to bold, faith-filled petitions that require God’s supernatural intervention.
  • “If you ask small, you’re going to receive small. The scripture says, according to your faith, it will be done unto you.” — Joel Osteen [06:25]

• Examples of Bold Prayers

  • Normal prayer: “God, help me pay my bills.”
  • Bold prayer: “God, help me to not only pay my bills but have plenty left over to bless others.”
  • Normal prayer: “Keep my child out of trouble.”
  • Bold prayer: “Let my child become a leader and fulfill his destiny.”
  • Normal prayer: “Help me endure this sickness.”
  • Bold prayer: “Thank you that I’m coming through this sickness better than before.”
  • “If you can accomplish your dreams on your own, then your dreams are too small.” — Joel Osteen [07:54]

Open Your Mouth Wide

• Psalm 81:10 Reference
  • Osteen urges listeners to consider:
    “God said in Psalm 81, open your mouth wide and I will fill it. My question is, how wide is your mouth open? What are you asking for?” [09:17]
  • The size of your request determines the magnitude of what God will do.

Breaking Out of Limiting Beliefs

• Challenging Self-Limitation
  • People often get conditioned by past experiences (“all I ever get is a C”), but Osteen asserts that God wants to exceed our expectations if we’re willing to ask.
  • “Take the limits off of God. Stop asking for a C and start asking for an A. Stretch your faith.” — Joel Osteen [11:27]
• First-hand Example:
  • A college student only expected a C on a final exam. Osteen encourages her to pray for an A, and she achieves it by combining faith with effort.
  • “If you'll break out of the rut and start praying bolder prayers, you're going to have some of these first times.” — Joel Osteen [11:45]

Bold Prayers Bring Supernatural Favor

• Hidden Dreams and Secret Petitions
  • God delights in answering the deepest desires of your heart — not just your basic needs.
  • “God doesn't want you to go through life lonely, not fulfilled, never accomplishing your dreams… When you ask boldly, you're not being selfish, you're releasing your faith.” — Joel Osteen [13:11]

The Story of the Two Blind Men (Matthew 20)

• Faith in Action
  • Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” even when the answer seems obvious — to test faith and willingness to ask big.
  • “They weren't asking for a C. They were asking for an A. They said, Lord, we want our sight.” — Joel Osteen [15:09]
  • Osteen invites listeners to imagine Jesus asking them the same question: How you answer determines the outcome.

The Power of Personal Testimonies

1. African Orphan’s Rise

• A boy in Africa prays night after night for education, despite total impossibility.
• He receives a prophetic dream, meets a benefactor (Mr. Stanley) as seen in the dream, and is funded through school, eventually studying law in America and being groomed for leadership.
• “When you pray bold prayers, it gets God's attention. When you ask big, your faith causes the creator of the universe to respond.” — Joel Osteen [17:57]

2. A Mother Prays Boldly for Her Son

• Rather than praying her son would just stay out of jail, she prays he becomes a great leader.
• Despite skepticism, her son transforms and becomes a pastor helping others with addiction.
• “Don't sell yourself short. Don't pray a barely get by prayer. Do like she did: God, help my children to become leaders.” — Joel Osteen [23:16]

3. The Story of Elisha’s Double Portion (2 Kings)

• Elisha asks the prophet Elijah for a double portion of his spirit — a huge request — and is granted exactly that.
• “If Elisha would have been timid and thought, I can't ask that, that wouldn't be right, we wouldn't be talking about him today.” — Joel Osteen [24:30]

4. Joel’s Own Transition to Leadership

• Stepping into his father’s role pastoring the church, Osteen was faced with doubts but prayed for greater influence — not just to maintain but to expand.
• “That's God's plan. He wants every generation to increase.” — Joel Osteen [25:51]

“With God, All Things Are Possible”

• Childlike Faith Example

  • A boy prays for his dead goldfish, and it revives. The lesson: Don’t overthink — just ask.
  • “With God, all things are possible.” — Joel Osteen [27:02]

• Asian Businesswoman’s Story

  • Repeatedly denied funding, a woman prays for a miracle as a banker jokes, “If the stock market goes up tomorrow, I’ll give you the loan.” The market unexpectedly rises, and her business becomes a great success — blessing many.
  • “When you pray, it moves the hands that rule the world. Open your mouth wide and God will fill it.” — Joel Osteen [28:02]

• Osteen’s Mother’s Prayers

  • Prayed about everything (even household appliances). When diagnosed with terminal cancer, she prayed boldly and survived far beyond doctors’ predictions.
  • “Could it be that you’re missing out on God’s best because you’re not asking?” — Joel Osteen [29:18]

• The "Chain from Heaven" Story

  • A man urgently needs a chain to finish moving a house and, after praying boldly, a passing pickup inadvertently drops exactly the chain they need at his feet.
  • “The scripture says, is there anything too hard for the Lord? Let's take the limits off of God.” — Joel Osteen [30:12]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “If you can accomplish your dreams on your own, then your dreams are too small.” [07:54]
• “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.” [09:17]
• “It brings God pleasure to bring your dreams to pass.” [13:42]
• “When you pray, it moves the hands that rule the world.” [28:02]
• “Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t pray a barely get by prayer.” [23:16]
• “With God, all things are possible.” [27:02]
• “Could it be that you’re missing out on God’s best because you’re not asking?” [29:18]
• “The scripture says, is there anything too hard for the Lord?” [30:12]

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:34] — Introduction of the theme: Praying Bold Prayers
• [07:54] — Explanation of the difference between “get by” prayers and bold prayers
• [09:17] — Psalm 81: “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it”
• [11:27] — Story of the college student and praying for an A
• [13:11] — Encouragement to ask for the secret petitions of your heart
• [15:09] — The two blind men in Matthew 20 and faith in prayer
• [17:57] — The African orphan dream and miraculous provision
• [23:16] — Testimony of a mother praying for her child’s destiny
• [24:30] — Elisha’s double portion request and lesson on spiritual inheritance
• [25:51] — Joel’s personal experience stepping into church leadership
• [27:02] — The goldfish miracle and the importance of childlike faith
• [28:02] — The Asian businesswoman’s prayer and breakthrough
• [29:18] — Osteen’s mother’s miracle healing and the lesson to pray about everything
• [30:12] — The “chain from heaven” story and God’s ability to do the impossible

Takeaway Messages

• God is eager and able to answer bold prayers that go beyond your resources, abilities, or circumstances.
• Asking big is not selfish—it’s a step of faith and often enables you to bless others.
• The only thing that limits God’s work in your life is your vision and willingness to ask.
• Be specific and courageous in your prayer life, daring to seek not just maintenance, but breakthrough and abundance.

Final Words

Osteen closes by declaring:
“God is saying, what do you want me to do for you? Some of you are asking for a C. God's saying, start asking me for an A. Have a bigger vision. Stretch your faith. That's what allows God to do amazing things.” [31:00]
He prays over the audience, declaring faith, favor, and victory for the coming year, and encourages everyone to keep praying bold prayers and believing for God’s best.