Boldness can be a good thing, as in courageous. But boldness can also be impulsive or misdirected. I remember some times in my life when I moved boldly on a God-directed path. But other times, I charged ahead because I loved the challenge of difficult goals I’d set for myself.
Peter was bold when he walked on water at Jesus’ invitation. (But looking away from Jesus, he began to sink.) Peter was bold when he tried to protect Jesus with a sword. (Jesus told him the time was not right.) But after Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, he and the disciples prayed for boldness to speak God’s word in spite the threat of imprisonment. God answered by shaking the place where they were meeting and filling them with His Spirit to speak His word boldly (Acts 4:29-31).
So God responds to bold prayers! In fact, Scripture tells us to “… approach throne of grace with confidence (boldness) so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). The Greek word used in both passages denotes “freedom in speaking with confidence or boldness.” It can also mean “courage” (Hebrews 3:6).
Okay, boldness in prayer. But does that mean we can ask God for anything? According to 1 John 5:13, 14, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And …we know that we have what we asked of Him.” So how do we know we’re asking in His will?
The best way to know God’s will is to be thoroughly steeped in His word. Not just bits and pieces, but by learning who God is and what He desires through a whole-Bible view. We can also know His will through hearing His voice in prayer, and sometimes from other well-grounded Christ-followers. Occasionally God will also confirm His words to us through corresponding circumstances.
God wants us to seek Him whole-heartedly and then to come to Him boldly asking for Him to act according to His promises. That requires faith in His word and in who He really is.
Do you need more boldness in prayer? I know I do! Remember that God can do “immeasurably MORE than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). Just imagine what God could do in your life. He can do more. What do you think He could do in your family, your church, your community? He can do more! Could He change our country for the better? Absolutely! In ways that you’d never expect or imagine. How do we know that? Because He said so, and He proved it at the Red Sea, at Jericho, in Gideon’s battle, on the shores of Galilee. Seas parted, walls fell, boats miraculously filled with fish.
So we can say to God, “Lord, I believe in Your transforming power to heal the broken-hearted, set captives free, and release the oppressed. I am boldly asking You to fulfill these promises in my family, in my church and community. I am confident in Your power to bring good out of bad situations. I trust You to work in one heart at a time until we see Your kingdom come to our country and Your will done on this earth as it is in heaven! In Jesus name I pray, AMEN.”