I’m Scared to Pray Boldly

Lysa TerKeurst, Author, faithgateway.com

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. — James 5:16

Sometimes I’m scared to pray boldly. It’s not at all that I don’t believe God can do anything. I absolutely do. I’m a wild-about-Jesus girl. Wild in my willingness. Wild in my obedience. Wild in my adventures with God.

So my hesitation isn’t rooted in any kind of doubt about God. It’s more rooted in doubts about myself and my ability to absolutely discern the will of God. The reality is, sometimes God chooses not to do things. And if His will is “No,” while I am boldly praying for a “Yes,” it makes me feel out of step with God.

Can you relate?

I so desperately want to stay in the will of God that I find myself praying with clauses like: God, please heal my friend, but if it’s Your will to take her, I will trust You.

I wonder why I don’t just boldly pray: God, please heal my friend. And then stand confidently knowing my prayers were not in vain — no matter what the outcome.

Praying boldly boots me out of that stale place of religious habit into authentic connection with God Himself.

Prayer opens my spiritual eyes to see things I can’t see on my own. And I’m convinced prayer matters. Prayers are powerful and effective if prayed from the position of a righteous heart (James 5:16).

Prayer opens my spiritual eyes to see things I can’t see on my own.

So, prayer does make a difference — a life-changing, mind-blowing, earth-rattling difference. We don’t need to know how. We don’t need to know when. We just need to kneel confidently and know the tremors of a simple Jesus girl’s prayers extend far-wide and far-high and far-deep.

Letting that absolute truth slosh over into my soul snuffs out the flickers of hesitation. It bends my stiff knees. And it ignites a fresh, bold, and even wilder fire within. Not bold as in bossy and demanding. But bold as in, I love my Jesus with all my heart, so why would I offer anything less than an ignited prayer life?

Jesus speaks specifically about igniting our prayer lives in Matthew 6:6-8:

When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

So let’s ask. And ask again. Not because we can cause God to move, but so we’ll position our souls to see our sweet Jesus move in any which way He pleases.

Dear Lord, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to bring all my worries and cares to You. Thank You for providing me with exactly what I need. I trust You have my best interest in mind today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Herod the Great

by Inspiration Ministries

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem. – Matthew 2:1 NASB

During his 41 years as sovereign of Judea, Herod the Great became known as a builder. His legacy included a fabulous palace, fortresses, theaters, and other public buildings, including the temple in Jerusalem. Born in 73 BC, Herod was not a Jew but an Idumean. He was a close friend of many leaders in Rome. These connections helped him gain power but made him hated by many Jews.

Herod also was feared. He could be ruthless and cunning. Often driven by jealousy, he arranged for the murder of one of his wives and several family members. Of Herod, Caesar Augustus said, “I’d rather be his pig than his son.”

This is the man whom the magi visited who directed them to go to Bethlehem to find the “king of the Jews” (v. 2). He lashed out when the magi did not tell him the location of this king and slaughtered all the male children near Bethlehem. Joseph fled with Mary and baby Jesus into Egypt to escape from him.

Today, the lands Herod governed (modern-day Israel and Palestine) are the center of frequent unrest. Some, like Herod, think that the solution is through power or military might. But the only real answer is the Baby who was born when Herod was king – Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God. “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7).