Topical Bible: Prayer: should be offered Up with Boldness

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Prayer, a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, is the means by which believers communicate with God. It is an expression of faith, dependence, and worship. The Bible encourages believers to approach God with boldness, a concept that underscores the confidence and assurance Christians should have when entering into His presence.

Biblical Foundation for Boldness in Prayer

The New Testament provides several exhortations for believers to pray with boldness. In Hebrews 4:16, the author writes, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This verse highlights the privilege Christians have to come before God without fear, assured of His mercy and grace.

Similarly, Ephesians 3:12 states, "In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence." This passage emphasizes that it is through faith in Jesus Christ that believers have the freedom to approach God boldly, knowing that they are accepted and heard.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering believers to pray with boldness. Romans 8:26-27 explains, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." The Spirit's intercession provides believers with the confidence that their prayers align with God's will, thus encouraging boldness.

Examples of Bold Prayer in Scripture

The Bible provides numerous examples of bold prayer. In the Old Testament, Daniel exemplifies boldness in prayer when he continues to pray openly despite the king's decree against it (Daniel 6:10). His unwavering commitment to prayer, even in the face of persecution, demonstrates a profound trust in God's sovereignty.

In the New Testament, the early church prayed with boldness in the face of persecution. Acts 4:29-31 records their prayer: "And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness, as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." Their prayer for boldness in proclaiming the Gospel was answered as they were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with courage.

Encouragement for Believers

Believers are encouraged to cultivate a bold prayer life, rooted in the assurance of God's love and faithfulness. James 1:6 advises, "But let him ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." This call to pray in faith underscores the importance of confidence in God's character and promises.

Furthermore, 1 John 5:14-15 assures believers of the effectiveness of bold prayer: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him." This assurance encourages believers to pray boldly, trusting that God hears and responds to their petitions.

In summary, the biblical call to pray with boldness is a testament to the intimate relationship believers have with God through Jesus Christ. It is an invitation to approach the Creator with confidence, assured of His love, grace, and willingness to act on behalf of His children.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prevailing Prayer.
... Such prayer is often offered in the present day ... when they looked back upon it, they
were frightened and amazed at themselves, to think they should dare to ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture iv prevailing prayer.htm

Christ Our Mediator. --Continued.
... up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting ... significance of the
Saviour's requirement that henceforth all prayer should be offered in His ...
/.../x christ our mediator continued.htm

Prayer --A Privilege, Princely, Sacred
... days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and ... not the will of God that men
should pray ... Prayer is complement, make efficient and cooperate with God's will ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/i prayera privilege princely sacred.htm

Paul, the Teacher of Prayer
... how men ought to pray, how business men should pray, and ... Prayer is offered for things,
for all things, for all ... turn to my salvation through our prayer and the ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xii paul the teacher of.htm

An Exposition of the Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles.
... by lot through the grace of God with prayer. ... chief priests, commanding that they
should not speak ... Then * the thanksgivings offered up by the Church for the ...
/.../pamphilus/the writings of pamphilus/an exposition of the chapters.htm

The Word of Jesus on Prayer.
... God may hear all prayers that ever were offered to him ... To say, 'Father, I should
like this or that,' would ... fixed that they could not be altered to his prayer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the word of jesus on.htm

The Mediator's Threefold Prayer
... whom he had had to smite, and offered himself a ... Moses' prayer sounds presumptuous,
but it was heard unblamed ... with the flame of divine love, should aspire beyond ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the mediators threefold prayer.htm

Intercessory Prayer
... our prayers should be public prayers, though offered in private; and even in secret
we should not forget ... we pray, but to us who offer the prayer; we, too ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/intercessory prayer.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... to do away the sins of others, should himself be ... high priest was neither to offer
sacrifice, nor prayer. ... He was offered up in sacrifice, which answers to the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

The Fulton St. Prayer Meeting.
... to our Father, and to those who have offered prayer in her ... I believe it is God's
will that I should tell you ... and prayed with me, and God heard prayer and saved ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the fulton st prayer meeting.htm