Pray Boldly: Embracing the Power of Faith

Today, we’re exploring a crucial aspect of our spiritual journey: praying boldly. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a call to action for all believers. Bold prayer is about approaching God with confidence and faith, trusting that He hears us and will act according to His will.

The Foundation of Bold Prayer

To lay the foundation, let’s first look at Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” This verse is a powerful reminder that we can confidently approach God’s throne, not with fear or hesitation. God invites us boldly into His presence because He loves us and desires a relationship. Rest assured, when we pray, God listens.

Jesus’ Teachings on Faith and Prayer

Jesus himself emphasized the importance of faith and prayer. In Mark 11:24, He said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” However, this isn’t a blank check for asking for material wealth without purpose. It’s about having faith that God can do anything we ask, but within His will.

Consider Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39): Going a little farther, He fell with His face to ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus prayed boldly, yet He remained within the Father’s will. He faced challenging situations but prayed with submission. What I want to point out about this verse is Jesus’s insistence that it is not his will but the Father’s will. This is an essential point for us to follow. Jesus wanted to be in the Father’s will. We should follow the same model.

Jesus also encouraged persistence in prayer in Luke 11:9: “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” We must continually pray, as sometimes the answers are “yes,” “no,” or “not right now.” Trust me, I’ve experienced all three, and ignoring a “no” or “not right now” often doesn’t turn out well for me when I ignore what God has clearly told me.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Prayer

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in our prayers. When Jesus returned to heaven, He left us a helper—the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26-27 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

The Holy Spirit is our guide and advocate in prayer. He helps us pray according to God’s will and gives us the courage to ask for what seems impossible.

Pray With Purpose

We also need our bold prayers to be purposeful.

We look to James 5:16, where James writes, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Our prayers should align with God’s will, reflecting His heart and desires.

We’ll take one more set of verses to show what effect our purposeful prayers can have.

We’ll look at Elijah’s story in 1 Kings. First, let’s look at some background. I’ll shorten the story a little for time’s sake. The people of Israel were once again praying to the gods, Baal and Asherah. So, Elijah challenged them. He said to bring 450 prophets of Baal and 400 for Asherah.

If you’re keeping score, that is 850 prophets versus Elijah.

Elijah challenged them to build an altar with a sacrifice atop it. Then, the prophets prayed for Baal and Asherah to send fire upon the altar to burn the sacrifice. 850 prophets prayed all day with no result. Elijah took his turn but upped the challenge a little. He had the people douse the altar with water three times.

Now we take up the story in 1 Kings 18:36-38,

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.”

 He boldly prayed for God to show His power to the people of Israel. Elijah prayed with confidence, knowing that God’s power would be displayed. His prayer was not only answered, but it also turned the hearts of the people back to God.

Overcoming Fear and Doubt

One of the most significant obstacles to bold prayer is fear and doubt. Let’s examine some Scripture that helps us with that fear and doubt.

2 Timothy 1:7 reassures us:

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Ephesians 3:20 works to overcome doubt.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” 

When fear and doubt creep in, remember the promises of God and stand firm in faith.

Trusting God’s Timing

Bold prayer requires patience and trust in God’s timing. God’s timing is not ours. However, we are reassured once again in Isaiah 40:31:

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

God’s timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t align with our plans. Trusting His timing means believing He knows what is best for us and will act at the right moment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bold prayer is about confidence in God’s promises, persistence, and trust in His plan. As we continue to grow in our faith, let’s be encouraged by Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Let’s commit today to boldly praying, believing that God hears us and will respond. Remember, bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers. Keep praying, believing, and watching God move incredibly in your life. Let me know how I can pray for you by visiting my contact page and sending me a note.