There’s a miracle in the Old Testament that is often overlooked in the bigger picture of GREAT miracles. It’s found in Joshua 10. Joshua and his army were in a huge battle and they were having great success in conquering the enemy but they needed more daylight. So, Joshua prayed a BOLD prayer and asked God to make the sun stand still: “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon” (Joshua 10:12). God answered the bold prayer: "So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies” (Joshua 10:13). We then read in Joshua 10:14: “There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the LORD answered such a prayer. Surely the LORD fought for Israel that day” (Joshua 10:14). Imagine that?
I believe that some of the greatest heroes of faith prayed boldly. We see this all the way through Scripture. But our verse today in Hebrews 4:16 reminds us that we have the ability to come boldly into the throne of our gracious God. That means that you and I can pray boldly as well. But do we? This question has been on my heart since we’ve been going through the life of Elijah in church and we witnessed Elijah pray a bold pray as well, asking God to bring back to life a widow’s son (1 Kings 17:20). I’m asking… Lord, do I pray like Joshua? Do I pray like Elijah?
So, for a second… let’s talk about what a bold prayer is not and what it is. A bold prayer is not a way to force God’s hand. I cringe at those who pray… I declare that you do this, Lord. I decree that you heal this person, Lord. To me, that is a prayer trying to force God to do what we want and expecting the outcome to be what we want. Here are two things a bold prayer is: 1) a bold prayer is filtered through God’s character and His attributes… not through our circumstances. It begins with what we know about God and what we know He is able to do. 2) a bold prayer is a prayer that looks humanly impossible. It’s something that ONLY God can do. When we pray in the right way boldly, then we are okay with whatever the outcome. We know God CAN and He will act in according to His will and purposes.
With that said… I thought about my loved ones. I began to pray BIG BOLD prayers for them. Things that look humanly impossible. Things that I cannot manipulate to work for my benefit. I pray that God would bring forth His purposes in their life for His glory. I think that a bold prayer is specific too… not just general. I also believe that a bold prayer is in alignment with the Word of God and will ultimately bring glory to Him. He wants those prayers to be rooted in Him, not in my selfish needs.
Let me ask you… what is it that you want God to do for your child, your grandchild, your prodigal, your spouse, your church, your ministry? Is it BIG? Is it beyond human understanding? Is for the glory of God? Let’s stand side-by-side with some of the greatest heroes of the faith and pray like they prayed. Let’s pray bold. Let’s pray courageously. Let’s pray consistently, without giving up. And then wait on God. Keep in mind the lyrics to a child’s song we sang growing up: “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty. There’s nothing that He cannot do.”
We have the ability to pray boldly. Let’s take advantage of it. Let me encourage you to begin today. Write down that bold prayer and bring it before the Lord.