KEY SCRIPTURES
Our prayers are just too safe. Predictable. Mundane. Rote. Safe. Sometimes I look at prayers like that and wonder if God looks at them almost like an insult.
“Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.”
Acts 4:10 NLT
You killed him. But God raised him from the dead. Sadducees did not believe in resurrection of any kind, so Peter was basically declaring war.
The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. ...
Acts 4:13 NLT
They did NOT pray: “Keep us safe from the bad guys. Don’t let anything bad happen to us.”
“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:29-31 NLT
How amazed are people by YOUR boldness? Rate yourself 1-10.
From a Biblical sense, boldness is not a personality trait. You can be naturally quiet, but when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you’re proclaiming truth with boldness.
Lots of ways to be bold:
Choosing not to gossip, when everyone else is.
Dressing modestly, when no one else is.
Bringing people to church, vs, inviting to church
Standing up for truth when no one else is.
What would happen if every day this week you took a few moments and just asked God to make you bold today. (Set an alarm on your phone)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere ...”
Acts 1:8 NLT
They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!” So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching. ...
Acts 5:18-21 NLT
If you’re daring enough to pray a very dangerous faith filled prayer of boldness:
Almost always triggers spiritual opposition. Acts 5:18-21
Boldness often releases God’s miracles. Acts 5:19
Boldness always requires faith.
You never know what our God might set into motion with a single act of bold obedience.
“We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!” But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”
Acts 5:28-29 NLT
DISCUSSION
How comfortable are you with prayer?
What does it mean to have bold faith?
How would living more boldly change your life?
Talk about a recent time when you had an opportunity to share your faith or were bold for Jesus.
Would you be willing to pray out loud in a room full of people? Why or why not?
STUDY AT HOME
Read Acts 4:1-31. On a scale of 1 to 10, how amazed are people by your boldness?
Think about the people you interact with. What opportunities do you have to be bold in your faith this coming week?
Set a goal for yourself to pray longer than you ever have before.
Father, thanks to You, we don’t have to live a life of fear. You give us the boldness to overcome any obstacle that comes our way. Help us to trust You no matter how difficult life seems and to step forward in obedience, knowing You’ll always be with us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
How is God calling you to live boldly? Consider this question this week, and then commit to pursuing whatever God sets in front of you.
Dangerous Prayers from the book:
Search Me
Break Me
Use Me