Boldness Part 3

BOLDNESS
Vineyard Church NW - Jody Burgin

BOLDNESS vs. Fearfulness
Courageously saying or doing what is true, right, and just
“I will…”

not be afraid to speak the truth.
support others when they are right.
be willing to stand alone.
fear God not man.
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

I know, I know. You’ve heard the subject before. Maybe even recently you heard … but did you really listen? Hearing is the ability to discriminate sound vibrations transmitted to the brain. Listening is making sense of what is heard. Honestly, now, did those words on prayer make sense to you?

When we come boldly to God in prayer, we are promised to receive mercy and grace. When we come to pray for someone, we intercede for them anticipating God’s mercy and grace will be extended to them. That means we mentally get involved in their world as we deliberately make contact with God on their behalf! This, admittedly, is only one aspect of prayer, but it’s a mighty important one!

1 Samuel illustrates so graphically the value, the essential importance, of bolding interceding for others. Samuel is in the thick of it. His nation is going through a tough, uncertain transitional period. They have pressed for a king and gotten their way which proved disastrous. What next? Could they go on, having blown it so royally? Wisely, they made the right request of Samuel: “Pray for your servants … for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king” (12:19). Greathearted Samuel must have smiled as he reassured them, “… far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you …” (12:23). He had already been praying for them, so he promised not to stop. To do so would be a “sin against the Lord.” I call that important.

There is no more significant involvement in another’s life than prevailing, consistent prayer. It is more helpful than any other gift, more encouraging than a strong sermon, more effective than a compliment, more reassuring than a physical embrace.

Are you involved in boldly praying for others? Do you know where to begin? Often a good starting point is a list on a 3 x 5 card, in a journal or in an electronic organizer (I.e., Prayer Partner for Palm) … actual names of people, and in parenthesis you might write at least one need you are aware of. Do you know someone who is backed against the wall, disturbed and disquieted? Perhaps they are uncertain about their future, anxious over a strained relationship, or burdened in some way needing extra strength, new hope, or greater wisdom. Far be it from us that we should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for one another. I know, I know. You’ve heard about the need to pray for others before – are you doing it?

I love you Lord because you hear my voice and my supplications. Thank you in advance for responding to my needs and my intercession on behalf of others.