Pray90X: Praying for Boldness: Part 1
Ever wondered what to say when you pray? Sometimes it can help to see what examples of prayer we are given in Scripture. in Acts 4, the believers prayed for boldness: “And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage, while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).
Ever wondered what to say when you pray? Sometimes it can help to see what examples of prayer we are given in Scripture. in Acts 4, the believers prayed for boldness: “And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage, while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).
Why is this prayer so noteworthy? Peter and John had previously been called before the Jewish leaders. The boldness of these two men, formally uneducated, shocked them. They were unable to accuse them of lying about what had happened—the healed man stood as testimony to their claims. They were unable to quench their boldness. They were afraid of the reaction of the people if they did not tread carefully with these men. The Jewish leaders had just released Peter and John, after warning them not to spread the good news any further. After their release, Peter and John immediately go and worship the Lord with other believers, relating to their brothers and sisters in Christ what has happened to them. They don’t merely pray—they quote from Psalm 2. They are not asking for their persecution to end or for the Lord to smite their enemies, but for boldness in speaking the truth.
I wish I could claim that this is always my first response to trials and tribulation—go first to praise the Lord with other believers, and to pray. But I confess it is not. I have not been as faithful as they. I too, am in need of boldness. When I pray, I should be more intentional in quoting Scripture (in context) in my prayers. As others see the Lord developing boldness in me, may they be drawn to Christ, that they may too know Him.
