Sometimes in our struggles with the powers of darkness we can be intimidated and walk in fear. There are times when the battle seems to be weighing us down and taking a toll on us, so we tend to shrink from the battle. There are times when we just need the boldness to continue the fight and be victorious. Some of us have never had the privilege of seeing a soul broken and crying out to the Lord for forgiveness because we are too timid to speak. Some of us don’t think we know the Word well enough to be an effective witness.
There are many reasons why we need to cry out to God in prayer for boldness and courage. Think about the disciples, did they ever have this problem? Of course they did. When you read through the Old and New Testaments you see God’s people full of courage at times and other times they were fearful. Think about Elijah, he was very brave on Mount Carmel when he came against the Prophets of Baal but when he was threatened by Queen Jezebel he ran for his life. King David was a man that God said was a man after his own heart but he ran many times from King Saul because of fear. And what about Peter, when he denied Jesus three times and all the other disciples who deserted Jesus when Jesus was arrested. I think we all have our moments of uncertainty and fear.
I think we all need to pray for boldness and courage. It wouldn’t hurt to pray for boldness and courage every day. In Acts chapter 4 we read about how Peter, John and the other believers prayed for boldness and courage.
Don’t forget this was not long after the Holy Spirit fell on the day of Pentecost and these men were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Jesus told them in Acts 1:5, "For John truly baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." Then in verse 8 Jesus said, "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." You would think they would have all the boldness and courage they would need but they didn’t think so. The disciples knew that they needed a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit’s power every day and so do we in our day.
After the healing of the man that was lame for over forty years, Peter and John were arrested and put in jail for preaching the good news. On getting out of jail they were commanded not to speak or preach in the name of Jesus anymore. When they were let go they went to their own company and reported what the Chief Priest and elders had said.
Then in chapter 4 verses 29 and 30 they prayed, "And now Lord behold their threatenings and grant unto thy servants that with all boldness they may speak your Word. By stretching forth thine hand to heal: and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of they holy child Jesus." Did you notice they prayed for more than boldness and courage, which they knew they would need, they also prayed for miracles, signs and wonders to be performed that Jesus would be glorified through them? These are the things we need to pray for also that signs and wonders would follow our prayers and that people will see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.
So don’t be afraid to be bold when you pray and pray with faith expecting things to happen and your paryers to be answered. In Hebrews it says to come to the throne boldly and let our request be known.
Look what happened when Peter and John and the disciples prayed! It says in verse 31, "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." God is not a respecter of men, He treats us all equally, so if it happened to them it can happen to us.
So go for it ~ pray and receive according to your faith. For whatever God’s will is for your life will take place if you are willing, so try to pray everyday and never give up. And don’t forget to thank and Praise the Lord!
God Bless you, and have a great day!
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