Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Pray for boldness

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word. Acts 4:29

  A few years back, I was struggling with fatigue and a great deal with the pain in my body.  I was working with someone who had just been giving a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.  The main symptoms she had were fatigue and pain in her body.  So, of course when I began to hurt, immediately I began to think about her diagnosis and wonder if maybe I was experiencing the same thing.  Thankfully, I knew enough about how the enemy works to not give voice or validation to the concerns I was having.  I prayed about it every day as I continued to experience the suffering of the pain.  Finally, one morning after I got to work and was walking from my car to the front door, I asked the Lord, “What is wrong with me?” Up until that point, I had been asking Him to take the pain away so it would not be so hard to get up and go in the mornings.  I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit speak up inside me and say: “You are asking the wrong question.”  Wow! I hadn’t even considered that.  So, I asked “What should I be asking?”  I knew in that moment He was showing me to pray about getting through whatever it was that I was going through instead of Him removing it.  I realized that He had gotten me through every obstacle and predicament that I had gotten myself into in the past, so it didn’t matter this time what was causing the problem, I still just need Him to get me through this to the other side to my victory.

Today’s reading is a little different in that the disciples were being persecuted as followers of Jesus to the point of being punished.  However, when they were released from the detainment, they did not pray for God to remove the persecution or even to protect them from those who were accusing them.  Their prayer was what they were focused on, being bolder to spread the good news of salvation.  The disciples knew that it was the only thing that mattered in life, and it was the only hope for the world.  This is the prayer that the Holy Spirit answered and as their boldness grew they were able to turn the known world at that time upside down. (See Acts 17:6)

What about you?  Do you find yourself asking God to remove situations and dilemmas in your life?  Do you ever ask Him what did I do to cause this discomfort?  Have you asked Him before to protect or keep attacks far from you?  I certainly have and still do, but then I remember that mostly, I need to be praying for Him to see me through whatever condition I am up against.  He is the faithful One, and He will always get us through to victory as we trust Him.

Today, I want to encourage you through whatever you are up against.  Invite the Holy Spirit along to give you strength and wisdom to get through it to your victory.  Know that He has a plan to get you through all your problems and all your struggles and as you trust Him, He will lead and guide you.  Then start to pray for boldness and strength in the mission He has called you to.  Listen to the prompts and nudges He gives when you do have the opportunity to share His love with others.  Begin to change your focus from being comfortable in this life to stepping out to reach the world around you.  When you focus in on the plan and assignments you have been given, you will no longer be distracted by the aches and pains that this life gives.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 4:23-31

23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 

24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 

25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things?

26 The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’

27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 

28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 

29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 

30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.