Boldness as a prayer request
13 November 2009 – Boldness as a prayer request
Hello everyone,
How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you in Jesus name, amen. The dictionary has several definitions for the word boldness, some of which include:
- Not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring
- Not hesitating to break the rules of propriety; forward; impudent
- Necessitating courage and daring; challenging
- Some synonyms include: fearless, adventurous, brave, valiant, intrepid, valorous, dauntless
(Reference: www.dictionary.com).
There are many situations in life that we go through that we have to be bold, or put up a bold front. This could range from giving a presentation, to starting a new job, a new project, to going to a meeting, to asking for a request or favour, … Even to share a message, a word of encouragement, minister … sometimes we need boldness. But boldness can be asked for from the Lord. We see in Acts 4, a situation where Peter and John, after being charged not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, and having being threatened (v17, 21), they came back to the other believers, and the Bible says:
“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ.
For of a truth against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
For to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done.
And now Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word,
By stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the Name of Thy holy child Jesus.” Acts 4v24-30
What were the believers doing here? First, they magnified the name of the Lord. Telling Him He is God, He is the One who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is. Basically, they acknowledged Him as God, and speaking to Him His Word, which He had spoken in time past. Next, they presented the history of the situation to Him, acknowledging that He had a hand in that as well. Then, they lifted up the situation to Him saying – Lord, behold their threatenings. In a sense, they reported the situation to God, after magnifying Him. And then they made their request – grant us that with all boldness, we might speak Thy Word, by stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy child Jesus.
What was the result? The Bible records that:
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4v30
So, is there a situation that seems daunting? Magnify the name of the Lord – don’t neglect to do that, praise Him, exalt Him, let Him know that you know that He is great and that there is nothing too difficult for Him. (You will find that even in doing that, your own faith would be built up, and things would begin to look brighter). Next, acknowledge His Word – what is the Word that is applicable to your situation? Use it in prayer to the Father of all spirits. Afterwards, report the situation to the Lord, just like Phil 4v6 reminds us that don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything, tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for the answer. And make your request to Him. He is faithful. Don’t forget to always magnify the name of the Lord.
Have a very great day.
Hello everyone,
How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you in Jesus name, amen. The dictionary has several definitions for the word boldness, some of which include:
- Not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring
- Not hesitating to break the rules of propriety; forward; impudent
- Necessitating courage and daring; challenging
- Some synonyms include: fearless, adventurous, brave, valiant, intrepid, valorous, dauntless
(Reference: www.dictionary.com).
There are many situations in life that we go through that we have to be bold, or put up a bold front. This could range from giving a presentation, to starting a new job, a new project, to going to a meeting, to asking for a request or favour, … Even to share a message, a word of encouragement, minister … sometimes we need boldness. But boldness can be asked for from the Lord. We see in Acts 4, a situation where Peter and John, after being charged not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, and having being threatened (v17, 21), they came back to the other believers, and the Bible says:
“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ.
For of a truth against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
For to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done.
And now Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word,
By stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the Name of Thy holy child Jesus.” Acts 4v24-30
What were the believers doing here? First, they magnified the name of the Lord. Telling Him He is God, He is the One who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is. Basically, they acknowledged Him as God, and speaking to Him His Word, which He had spoken in time past. Next, they presented the history of the situation to Him, acknowledging that He had a hand in that as well. Then, they lifted up the situation to Him saying – Lord, behold their threatenings. In a sense, they reported the situation to God, after magnifying Him. And then they made their request – grant us that with all boldness, we might speak Thy Word, by stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy child Jesus.
What was the result? The Bible records that:
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4v30
So, is there a situation that seems daunting? Magnify the name of the Lord – don’t neglect to do that, praise Him, exalt Him, let Him know that you know that He is great and that there is nothing too difficult for Him. (You will find that even in doing that, your own faith would be built up, and things would begin to look brighter). Next, acknowledge His Word – what is the Word that is applicable to your situation? Use it in prayer to the Father of all spirits. Afterwards, report the situation to the Lord, just like Phil 4v6 reminds us that don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything, tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for the answer. And make your request to Him. He is faithful. Don’t forget to always magnify the name of the Lord.
Have a very great day.
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