Boldness

Because of Jesus, we can come before God with boldness—not with timidity—confident that He hears and responds to sincere, faith-filled prayers.

“Having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus […] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”—Hebrews 10:19–22 NKJV

Prussian military strategist Carl von Clausewitz once observed that “the majority of people are timid by nature.” He encouraged military leaders to infuse their troops with boldness.

Many people have the same kind of timidity in their spiritual lives. Paul had to remind Timothy, “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7 NASB).

Timidity can affect our relationship with God. We must approach Him with faith and confidence if we want Him to answer our prayers. If we allow doubt to fill our minds, we shouldn’t expect to “receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:5–7).

Hebrews teaches the importance of being bold when we come before God. Using imagery from the Old Testament, we see ourselves coming before God in the Holy of Holies. Thanks to Jesus, we can come before Him with confidence instead of fear. We’re told to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.”

Although sin in our lives hinders our prayers, we can be cleansed by “having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Boldness and confidence come when we are clean and pure in His sight.

Don’t allow doubt or timidity to cripple your prayers. Approach God with boldness and confidence. He is ready to answer you!

Reflection Question: How might your prayers change if you approached God with boldness?