"Bold Prayers" | January 12, 2025 | Ps Joel Lowery

In a world that often encourages us to play it safe, there's a call echoing through the ages for believers to step out in boldness. This call isn't just about being loud or brash; it's about having the courage to approach God with audacious faith and to live out that faith in our daily lives.

The early church, as depicted in the book of Acts, serves as a powerful example of what happens when believers pray bold prayers and live with unwavering faith. In Acts 4, we see Peter and John released from imprisonment for preaching about Jesus. Instead of cowering in fear or celebrating their freedom, their first instinct was to gather with fellow believers and pray.

But what did they pray for? Comfort? Safety? An easy path forward? No. They prayed for boldness.

"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." (Acts 4:29)

This prayer is striking for several reasons. First, these disciples had already demonstrated considerable courage. They had stood before religious leaders, performed miracles, and faced imprisonment. Yet, they recognized their ongoing need for God's empowerment to be bold.

Secondly, they didn't pray for the threats to be removed or for a smoother journey. Instead, they asked for the strength to continue their mission in the face of opposition. This challenges us to examine our own prayers. Are we asking God to remove obstacles, or are we asking Him for the courage to face them?

The early church's prayer didn't stop at boldness. They also prayed for miracles:

"Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." (Acts 4:30)

This prayer reveals a profound truth: signs and wonders aren't ends in themselves. They're signposts pointing to Jesus. The early believers understood that miracles weren't about showcasing their own power or gaining fame. Instead, they were tools to draw people's attention to the transformative power of Christ.

In our modern context, we often shy away from praying for miracles. Perhaps we're afraid of disappointment, or we've convinced ourselves that the age of miracles has passed. But what if we're missing out on God's power simply because we're not bold enough to ask?

Consider the story of Matt, a young man diagnosed with advanced colon cancer that had spread to his liver. In the face of this dire prognosis, Matt and his family chose to respond with bold faith. They cursed the cancer daily, took communion, and declared healing scriptures. Friends and church members rallied around him in prayer.

The result? After surgery, doctors found that some of the cancerous spots had turned to stone – something the experienced surgeon had never seen before. Matt's story is a powerful reminder that when we pray boldly, we open the door for God to move in miraculous ways.

Another touching example is the story of Ava, a young girl battling leukemia. Her family's persistent prayers and the support of their church community have led to numerous instances where her blood counts improved just in time for crucial treatments. Ava herself testifies that this challenging journey has brought her closer to God and strengthened her faith.

These stories challenge us to reconsider our approach to prayer. Are we praying safe, vague prayers that demand little faith? Or are we approaching God with bold requests that, if answered, could only be attributed to His power?

It's important to note that praying boldly isn't about manipulating God or treating Him like a cosmic vending machine. It's about aligning our hearts with His purposes and trusting Him enough to ask for big things. It's about believing that He is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do.

The result of the early church's bold prayers was extraordinary:

"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." (Acts 4:31)

God responded to their prayers by filling them with His Spirit and empowering them to speak with even greater boldness. This teaches us a crucial principle: bold prayers lead to bold results.

As we reflect on this, let's challenge ourselves to step out of our comfort zones in prayer. Here are a few ways we can cultivate a bolder prayer life:

1. Pray for boldness itself. Ask God to give you the courage to live out your faith, even in challenging circumstances.

2. Pray for miracles. Don't be afraid to ask God for the seemingly impossible, whether it's healing, provision, or breakthrough in a difficult situation.

3. Pray beyond yourself. While it's okay to pray for personal needs, challenge yourself to pray big prayers for your community, your nation, and the world.

4. Pray with others. There's power in corporate prayer. Find opportunities to pray with fellow believers, supporting and encouraging one another in faith.

5. Act on your prayers. Bold prayers should lead to bold actions. Be prepared for God to use you as part of the answer to your own prayers.

As we embark on this journey of bold prayer, let's remember that our goal isn't just to see our wishes fulfilled. It's to see God glorified, His kingdom advanced, and lives transformed by His power. When we pray bold prayers, we're declaring our trust in a big God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

So, let's dare to be bold. Let's approach God's throne with confidence, knowing that He hears us and delights in responding to the faith-filled prayers of His children. As we do, we may find that not only do our circumstances change, but we ourselves are transformed – becoming bolder, more faith-filled followers of Christ, ready to impact our world for His glory.