In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
— Ephesians 3:12

I’m so grateful for all the truths and godly qualities that my pastor and church family planted in me during my growing-up years. But I have to say, in all the years I attended that church, I personally can’t remember a time when I heard anyone pray boldly or confidently. I simply had no idea what bold, confident praying sounded like until I attended a seminar at another church where a special speaker was teaching on the subject of faith.

At that seminar, I could hardly believe my ears! The man prayed like he actually believed what he was praying would come to pass! At first I was offended, because I mistook his confidence for arrogance. But the longer I listened, the more I realized this man really believed that God was listening to him and that God would do what he had asked of Him. With all the years of sincere praying I had heard in my life, I had never heard such confidence in prayer. That day changed my life as I realized for the first time this truth: If we really know the will of God, we can approach God boldly and confidently!

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One of the scriptures that came alive to me at that time of my life was Ephesians 3:12, which says, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” The words “in whom” tell us that our confidence is not based on ourselves, but on our relationship with Jesus Christ. And when you really know that you are in Christ, there is no longer a need to be sheepish about asking for what God has already promised you in His Word. Ephesians 3:12 tells us that we can come to God with boldness and confidence!

The word “boldness” in this verse is from the Greek word parresia, which describes a frankness of speech that is often viewed as unflinching authority — even in the face of opposition. It presents a picture of unashamed boldness. It also is associated with joy and courage. But in addition, Paul goes on to tell us that we can have “confidence” in Christ as we pray.

The word “confidence” is a derivative of the Greek word peitho, which, in most cases, means persuasion. However, in this verse, the word persuasion isn’t enough. The Greek form used here depicts absolute confidence — that is, one who is doubly persuaded. You could say that this person is convinced to the core — rock-solid certain about what he believes or feels. He is so completely persuaded and trustful of what he believes that no element of doubt remains.

These words describe exactly what I heard so long ago in that seminar when I first heard someone pray with utter boldness. It caught me off-guard because I’d never heard such bold praying. But as I listened, I understood that the man prayed with such confidence because he knew he was standing firm on promises in God’s Word. His boldness was based in his assurance of God’s faithfulness to perform what He had promised. This man was thoroughly convinced that God’s promises were trustworthy and true, and that confidence caused him to pray with bold authority.

When you are certain of your right-standing in Christ, it provides you with a foundation on which to stand. You are convinced of what God has promised you. You have a certainty that when you pray, God hears you and will do as you have asked. This means you don’t need to feel sheepish or embarrassed when you come to Jesus’ throne of grace. You can come boldly to seek mercy in your time of need.

So use your God-given authority without flinching as you boldly and unashamedly put God in remembrance of His promises. He is waiting to hear your voice of authority!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, thank You for inviting me to come boldly and confidently to You in prayer. I’m so thankful I don’t need to feel embarrassed or sheepish when I come to You with vital needs in my life. As I stand on the promises of Your Word, I will lift my voice in humility and confidence, believing that You hear me and knowing that if I ask anything according to Your will, I will receive it.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I declare that I have no need to be embarrassed or ashamed when I come to God in prayer. The blood of Jesus has purchased me, cleansed me, and given me right-standing with God. On that principle, I come before Him convinced to the core that His promises are alive, active, and at work in my life. When I pray, I pray like God really hears me, because I am absolutely convinced that He does! It’s not arrogance; it’s divinely inspired confidence. And when I pray like this, Heaven and earth move out of the way for God to activate His power and manifest His blessings on my behalf!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Have you ever heard a person pray with great boldness in prayer? How did it impact you when you first heard it? Have you ever experienced a moment when utter boldness came out of your spirit as you prayed?
  2. Can you think of an area of your life in which you are so convinced about something that no room is left for any element of doubt? If so, what is that area in which you feel such confidence?
  3. In what area are you lacking confidence when you pray? What do you need to do to reassure yourself so you can pray confidently?