Boldly. Fearlessly. Confidently.

As I was standing at work today, I was almost overwhelmed with the numerous things that I could write about. Then it occurred to me that I haven't written anything since... Early January. Sooo, I decided it was time.

Lately work has been more on the slow side and most shifts I have many times where I have no customers for awhile. In my boredom I typically end up with a Sharpie in hand writing the same thing on my hand alllll the time. 

"Pray boldly."

It's such a good reminder throughout my day, to be in an attitude of prayer throughout the day, but today it struck me.... Do I even know what that really means? Do I seriously understand the power of those two words together?

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." 

Mark 11:23-24

  

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place." 

Hebrews 10:18-20

  

"This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 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 4:15-16

These three verses predominantly explain the simple but powerful phrase.  

We already know to pray. We're called to pray. Jesus prayed. He's the perfect example.. Therefore, we know that we too, are to pray. But the concept of prayer takes on a much deeper value once we realize that we can boldly approach the throne of God with our prayers and petitions.

Jesus' death on the cross tore the veil that separated man from God. Because of his sacrifice we are free to come before a gracious and understanding God who endured all trials that we endure. We can now confidently run into arms of grace and mercy and lay our most desperate prayers and circumstances before an almighty God who is gracious and loving enough to meet us exactly where we are, where we need help the most. 

The power of prayer is evident in SO many aspects of our lives whether we continually see it or not, and there is so much strength in understanding that if we believe that God is mighty enough to make something happen.... simply believe in Him, without a single doubt in our minds, it will be done.

So, to answer my own question, what does it mean to say 'pray boldly'..? 

Because of the blood of Jesus we are able to confidently, courageously, boldly approach the throne of God; lay before Him our deepest pleas, believing that He has the authority, strength and desire to help us when we need it most. 

We have no reason to be timid in our prayer time with Jesus. He sacrificed his own life SO that we don't have to be. The veil is torn. His arms are open. His mercy and grace are waiting. Let's run to Him.

Plead confidently.

Petition certainly.

Call upon fearlessly.

Pray boldly.