PRAYING BOLDLY
Every morning after I get my cup of coffee and feed the dogs I settle down and read my morning devotion from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. By the time I finish with the day’s devotion and read all the corresponding bible verses, it is time to take the dogs out to potty. I will grab my phone and go and sit in one of the rocking chairs to watch them roam around in the yard. I normally check my emails and then read one of the Proverbs:31 ministries devotional that has been emailed to me. When I read a devotional that I really like I will save it so that I can go back and look at it again.
This morning I took out my phone and hit the email button. It came up on an old devotional from back in February that I had saved. I thought, “how strange” so I re-read the devotional and closed it out and then continued to read the rest of my emails. I went back in the house and gave the dogs their treats and gave Beckley his morning shot. Then I sat down to work on the computer for a few minutes before I started getting ready for work. My phone dinged to let me know I had a notification so I picked it up and opened it. When I clicked on my email the same devotional came up again!!! I had closed it out earlier and had read other emails. This devotional was probably 50 or more emails down the line so there was NO reason for this to ever open up again. It could only have been God trying to tell me something.
Praying Boldly. That was what the devotion was on. I admit that I struggle in this area and since the Lord keeps bringing this up to me, I figured that he was telling me to work on this. The first thing I thought was, why do I have trouble praying boldly?
Rejection.
I hate being told no. I assume everybody is the same way. What if I ask for healing and the answer is no? What if I ask for a job and the answer is no? What if I ask for a baby and the answer is no? When I am told “NO” I think that you don’t like me. If I don’t ask then I can’t be told no, problem solved. NOT! What if I ask but I ask timidly? Maybe I will just ask by saying, “If it is your will.” Of course, it is only if it is His will, but by adding that little caveat I save my feelings.
Pestering.
Am I pestering the Lord? Doesn’t he have enough requests on his plate without me adding mine to the pile? I’ll just ask for the really “important” things, like healing my friend. I’ll not bother him with petty things that I would like. I will just work hard and try to do it on my own.
Bossy.
Heal this, bring that, give me, give others, etc. I do “ask” but there are times when I feel like my asking is almost demanding. I might ask my children to clean their rooms but I really am telling them to clean their rooms. Is this the same attitude that I am taking in my prayers?
The bottom line is this, the Lord is not going to reject “me,” I am not pestering “Him,” and asking is not “bossing.” The Lord “wants” to give to us but He also “wants” us to ask. When He says no we just have to remember that it does not mean that He doesn’t love us, it means He has something different in mind. His ways are so much bigger and better than mine could ever be and I need to remember that I am not seeing the entire picture.
I am now practicing praying boldly. I am asking with no fear of rejection because I know that He is not rejecting ME. He just has a different agenda that I don’t know about. Today, take the next 15 minutes and pray boldly for whatever is in your heart. Let the Lord hear you ask so that He can answer.
Have a Blessed Sunday!!!
I truly love Jesus Calling! I belong to a Facebook group by the same name and many women from around the world comment on daily Jesus Calling readings. Have a beautiful day!
Tania, can you please share with us the verses we can reference about praying boldly? I have the same problems feeling like I am bothering God, or being pushy or bossy. I always say, “If its your will”, and to be honest with you, I had heard that we should ask for what we want, but I just feel so nervous to. I thought maybe reading the verses that encourage this would help. I would SO appreciate any guidance you can offer. THANK YOU for sharing this post!!
Matthew 6, verses 6-8, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (NIV).
Also, James 1: 6-16 might help.
Thank you so much! I appreciate it, Tania. <3
I accepted your challenge, thank you for the reminder. I appreciate your boldness!
So thankful for this post!
Thank you Tania, for that message. It spoke to my heart. I definitely have a hard time asking for what I want because my life has been so blessed it seems greedy to ask for more. When my children were young I knew what they wanted and needed but sometimes I just waited to hear from them how important it was to them rather than automatically providing them. I suspect my Heavenly Father is the same way so it’s up to me to pray so He can hear me!
Great post, thank you! We will never truly understand the power of prayer while on this planet but we do need to model our prayers after the heros and heroines in the bible. They were never afraid to directly ask God for what they wanted, for protection, for direction and God was always faithful.
Another great Sunday post that inspires me. Ever since I saw The War Room, it has remained on my mind this is the time to become a serious prayer warrior. So many people need prayers…. my best friend had a diagnosis of kidney failure for her youngest cat just after saying good-bye to the oldest kitty she loved. Then a dear friend whose 12 year old nephew diagnosed in October with leukemia went into remission after massive prayers but was just told it is back. I need to boldly go to the throne on their behalf, plus so many more I know.
I am forever grateful you recommended the War Room in earlier posts. The movie made a huge impact and gave me the kick in the backside to move faith to a deeper level. Thanks, Tania! You touch people in ways you can’t imagine and your blog is being used by God big time.
Your post is so timely! My elderly father has been in the hospital 4 times this year. I told myself that I just couldn’t take another trip to the ER. Well guess what? There I was on Friday. My company move means I am going to have to drive the highway in rush hour. I told myself that I just couldn’t do that. Well guess what? I keep telling myself “no I can’t do that” but God keeps telling me “yes you can.” And, you know what? He is right. It’s not always easy, but he has more faith in me than I do!!! Thanks, Tania! I am praying boldly!!
I can do all things through He who strengthens me, and so can you!
Oh well Tanya that spoke so strongly to me too. There is something I have been praying for for many years and have never received. Lately I have been afraid to ask for it. But your devotional was so helpful and thank you for teaching me that God asks us to pray boldly believing.!
Charlcy, it is weird but some of the worst things that ever happened to me have turned out to be HUGE blessings. Maybe you should start looking at this prayer from a different angle.
I love all your posts and receive them via email every single day; however, it is your Sunday posts that I enjoy the most!!!
Wow! Did I need that today! Thank you Tania for blessing me
This touched home, thank you for the reminder
I am very grateful that you wrote this post and it encouraged me in my prayers today in a way that was fresh and alive. I truly enjoy every post you write but this one really touched my heart. May God bring you blessings both big and small.
Thank you so much, Mary. I love my Sunday posts because they are meant for “me.” I am the one that needs the work and I just talk out loud about my struggles.
HI! I am a new follower! Love your posts, even if I am two decades past 50! A wonderful reminder that we can come boldly with our requests. Blessings!
Great message! Thank you for sharing. I also believe that God sends messages and it’s best to listen.
Kathy
Tania, I relate to you in so many ways. Thank you for today’s post. I have a friend that reads the “Jesus Calling” devotional too. It is on my agenda to order it online. Thanks again! Dawn
Thank you for allowing God to use you as his tool….your post was an answer to prayer!!
Thank you for today’s post. I your experience with your phone this morning was, at least partially, for me. I’ve been sort of getting the message that God is trying to tell me to be more bold in my prayers, to think bigger, but I’m not sure why. I do pray all the time, but I admit it’s timidly, and I guess I have to admit it’s been getting more timid all the time lately. I have just bought a new book–haven’t started reading it yet. It’s called “The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears”. I guess I’d better get to reading and figuring out what He wants me to do with those prayers! Again, thank you, Tania.
I have read this book, it is great!!!
Thank you Tania. This is not a coincidence that I read this first thing this morning and that is was what I needed to see… is a God thing. Bless you for being the messenger! ❤️ Angie
Thank you Tania for these reminders. Could you please tell me the name of the ministries devotional emails (sorry if I’m not wording this correctly!) that you receive? Thank you!
It is this: http://proverbs31.org/
These are really good questions to ponder, Tania. I think most of us struggle with these issues. Thank you for this reminder. Have a blessed day!!
Dear friend,
I must say I came upon a picture of you in Pinterest that got my attention and started looking for more of your ideas – ‘the 50 is not old’ of course got my attention since I just turned 50. I love your clothes and your style and started ‘following’ you on Pinterest. Then i checked your blog and loved what you have to say as well. But today, There’s another reason…. your email came in to my inbox and loved the title ‘praying boldly’ and began reading… thank you for your words that the Lord used to remind me of praying boldly…. And how important it is to spend time with the Lord, getting to know Him and yes asking for He delights in giving to His children but first we must ask …
I addressed you as a friend but now I know we are sisters in Christ…. what a blessing!
Sandra
Isn’t the Lord wonderful! I am amazed at how he puts people in our lives when we need them. Welcome to my blog, I hope you enjoy it.
Love this , Tania. Thanks for the reminder.
I love that you so boldly share your/our faith on this blog!
I love this post! Thank you. ?
Thank you for sharing this – I have passed it along to my Bible Study group who I call Prayer Warriors. I know they will appreciate this. Wishing you God’s blessings!
That is fantastic, Regina! I hope the Lord is using me for His purposes.
Wow – this was exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks for sharing !
AMEN! Beautifully said. Have a fabulous Sunday!
I feel like I say the same prayers every morning and every night. Does God get tired of my prayers? I sure hope not. Lately, I have been praying for our country and leaders.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
I have the same prayers, too, Linda. I wonder if I need to repeat them. The Lord has already heard them and is already working on them, so why repeat. I am trying to broaden my outlook but it is hard not to fall back into a routine.
This is a great reminder! Thank for the inspiration!
Thank you, Tania. I have the same trouble. I have a fear of being disappointed by God, so I don’t ask. I struggle handling that disappointment, and so I tend to avoid asking for the really hard things. I’m working on that. Do it afraid….”Come BOLDLY before the throne of GRACE…”. What powerful truth.
I understand exactly, Mary. If I ask for something and it never happens then I wonder why. I know it is not for me to understand. I am trying.
Love this! Sharing this message with my tween daughters!
Exactly what I needed today! God bless you.
OH my!!! Your expirence goes right along with what I replied to Audrrey’s and my blessings received from the War Room movie! Please read yesterday’s reply posts.
Enjoy Your Blessings!!???
Lisa, I thought the very same thing when I watched the movie. Every night when I went to bed I would say out loud that the devil was not invited to stay in my house.
Praying boldly now. Thanks for the reminder.
Just shat Ineeded today! Thank you.
I loved this post!! I have also struggled with praying boldly for all the excuses you described. But I know God loves me and that He will do what’s best for me. But I have to ask. Sometimes what He thinks is best is not what I think is best. But I still have to let Him know what I need.
Thanks for posting this.
Exactly, Valerie! Ask and receive His blessings. What He gives is way better than anything I could wish for.
Love your Sunday posts. This was great!
Thank you for that. I only have two things to say: (1) Well said! (2) Amen!
Thank you. You reminded me to get back to my daily devotion. I have the same book and enjoy those devotionals. Have a blessed day.